AskPat 2.0: A Weekly Coaching Call on Online Business, Blogging, Marketing, and Lifestyle Design

Can I Succeed Managing Two Websites AND Still Balance My Life? [Encore Episode] Dec 21, 2023

We're dropping an encore upload of this top-downloaded episode! Listen in as I coach Daz Cater through the challenges of running two blogs simultaneously.

#1186 Today I have the pleasure of talking with Daz Cater over in the UK. Daz manages two different blogs, plus he has a full-time job in construction along with being a husband and dad of two kids, and he's wondering whether or not he can balance it all. This is a really fun conversation, especially because of Daz's main interest and the focus of one of his blogs at retrogamerdaz.com: retro toys and collectibles. (I'll just say that his video background is one of the coolest ones I've seen in all my years of interviewing people.) His other website, nextstopwdw.com, is a Disney travel blog where he offers tips and documents his family's journeys through Disney properties. He's built up a decent following on both sites, but he's feeling stuck. Can he manage both, or should he focus on just one of them? That's exactly what we chat about today. I think you'll get a kick out of this one, especially if you love collectibles, Disney, or both! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1186.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do I Overcome the Fears Around the Growth in My Business? [Encore Episode] Dec 07, 2023

Listen in to this encore episode with Stephanie Taylor for a great conversation around avoiding regret, the psychology of making money, and growing your business without fear.

#1188 Today we're talking with Stephanie Taylor from the UK. She and her sister have a business together at Rent2RentSuccess.com. That's essentially a way to rent a property from a landlord, then rent it out again. She and her sister teach others how to do this through their course and membership program. Things are starting to take off, but Stephanie is wondering: Now that we're here, how do we get to the next level? When you find a little success online, you might find yourself facing an even bigger challenge than the one that it took for you to get started. Now that you're making money, how do you make sure you don't lose it? How do you grow and scale the business? You have more options now, but you're faced with a fork in the road. How do you make the right decisions and avoid burnout or regret? How do you overcome the fear of success and growth because you're not mentally ready or don't know what to expect? All great questions we're going to tackle today! We uncover a lot of great things here, including how to get past some of the tricky psychology around making money, and we find some strategies to help Stephanie—and perhaps you—move forward. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1188.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Niche Down and Better Serve My People? [Encore Episode] Nov 23, 2023

We're pulling another top-downloaded episode to the top of your feed! In this episode, Erica James gets clarity on niching down and better serving her audience.

#1179 When you discover the niche you should be focusing on, it's like the clouds part—everything becomes clearer. But once you've chosen a niche, how do you communicate the change to your audience without alienating them? Today we're talking with Erica James from Erica James Travel, as well as the Erica James Travel Show Podcast. Erica is a travel agent who's having some issues with niching down. She knows what she's good at and the kinds of services she wants to provide for her travel agency clients, but she's afraid of going about things the wrong way. But thankfully, we go deep and find some possibilities to help Erica make this transition in a way that feels good to her and her customers. There's a moment in this episode where you'll hear things click for Erica, and boom, things are ready to take off. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1179.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Build On a Lucrative Niche without Leaving My Audience Hanging? [Encore Episode] Nov 09, 2023

In this top-downloaded encore episode, listen in as Kimberly Reynolds gets guidance on focusing her energy between two directions in her business.

#1183 Today's guest, Kimberly Reynolds, aka Dr. Kimmy of Productive on Purpose, is at a crossroads. She's created a thriving community built around helping women with productivity and overcoming procrastination. At the same time, she's been niching down and coaching women on building businesses and walking in their purpose. The coaching is taking off—to the tune of $50,000 in revenue in just two months. But she's feeling torn in two directions, and knows she can't commit to both focuses. What should she do? Can she find a way to serve both of her audiences? Can she transition away from managing her community without leaving people hanging? She's going to have to start making some pro-level, CEO, executive-type decisions in her business, and Pat is here to help guide her. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1183.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's the Best Way to Continually Launch My Course, and Do You Think the Price is Right? [Encore Episode] Oct 26, 2023

We sunsetted AskPat earlier this year but had to make sure we brought the top-downloaded episodes back to the top of the feed! Listen in on this session with Rose Griffen for a masterclass on course launch strategy and pricing.

#1187 Today on the show we're talking with Rose Griffin from ABASpeech.org. Rose is a seasoned speech therapist who's helped many people. Her specialty these days is helping professionals who work with people with complex speech disorders or autism. She's doing great work, and she's already got a course and a podcast out in the world. So what's she struggling with? Well, she wants to know whether to make her course evergreen, or only make it available at certain times of the year. Should she create some FOMO for her target audience by opening and closing the course at regular intervals? Or is that going to be too much work? We also get into a discussion about pricing. When you get to the moment Rose announces the price of her course, you might already know what I'm going to tell her. But stick around to find out. We really dig into the ins and outs of course launch strategy, as well as the mysteries of pricing (because seriously, pricing is weird). This is a great episode if you've got a course that's doing well and you want to make the most of it, so give it a listen. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1187.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Passive Income Even Real, and How Do I Leave a Legacy? [Encore Episode] Oct 12, 2023

In this replay of one of our top downloaded episodes, hear a vital discussion on building passive income, leaving a legacy, and creating relationships on the journey.

#1185 Today we're talking with Shira Kates from Snapdragon Strategy. Shira has a lot of experience in the corporate world and Silicon Valley. She's done a lot of really cool things, but she's ready for her next phase and wants to try something else. Is it coaching? Is it something else? She's got a few opportunities lined up, but she needs help focusing. She also wants to know how she can move in the direction of creating passive income, to give herself some time back and create balance in her life. Along those lines, Shira wants to know: is passive income even real today? Is it possible to easily create a passive income-driven business anymore? That's a really cool discussion we have, too. We also explore the importance of networking and keeping relationships alive throughout your journey. And on top of that, which is maybe the most important part of my conversation with Shira is, how do you leave a legacy, to your family and others? Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1185.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I 5x My Passive Income Revenue in My Business? [Encore Episode] Sep 28, 2023

In this repost of one of our top downloaded episodes EVER, learn how to lean into the things that make you you to help exponentially grow your business.

#1192 Today we've got a great conversation with Mike Lander from Piscari. Mike helps sales and account teams learn how to negotiate through his online courses and consultations. He's been productizing some of his services and started to diversify, but he needs help generating more income from his courses. We discuss not just how to diversify smartly, but how Mike can lean into some of his superpowers and position his digital course to generate more sales. Mike is in the B2B space, which is a little bit different from many businesses that work directly with consumers, but the strategies and principles we talk about can apply to lots of businesses. So if this Mike's situation sounds like yours, I think you're going to find some amazing information in this episode. In fact, at the very end, Mike says, "Wow, Pat, I have five or six takeaways I can implement right away." So I hope you stick around and listen to this episode, because this is one about superpowers. It's about diversification, productizing, and leaning into the things that make you you. Show notes and more atSmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1192.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Test and Launch My Course When I Have Zero Reach? [Encore Episode] Sep 14, 2023

In this encore episode (one of our highest-downloaded episodes EVER), pick up critical tips on validating a course or product before you go to launch.

#1182 William Barton from BootSpy.com has a really interesting question today. It's one you might have wrestled with in your own business: How do I launch something when I don't have a list or anybody out there who knows that I exist yet? How do I validate this thing? How do I ensure that it's going to work before I put all this time and effort into it?You may be familiar with a little book I wrote called Will It Fly?, which is all about how to test your next business idea so you don’t waste your time and money. We're going to discuss a lot of the principles, strategies, and techniques that I share in that book with William today. If you’re launching something, you want to build that audience and validate your idea first, so let's get into it. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1182.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Make Launching an Online Course Easier? [Encore Episode] Aug 31, 2023

Another encore episode coming in hot! Originally published in August of 2021, this episode offers timeless lessons for anyone hoping to create a successful online course.

#1181 Wendy Lewis used to work as a writer at a marketing and ad agency. And she's still a writer, but she also has a new passion: reflexology, working with athletes and helping people regain function. She's excited to create her first online reflexology course, but she's feeling stuck. The whole thing seems a little overwhelming to her. I want you to pay attention to how Wendy describes an online course before we start talking about the solutions to making the online course creation process easier for her. Because as you'll find out, things are often a lot easier than we think they should be. And there's a lot of things that I've learned over the years that I pass on to Wendy in this conversation, that I would love to pass on to you as well. So whether it's an online course or something else that you want to create, let's get through it, and let's get through it together. Show notes and more at smartpassiveincome.com/ap1181.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have Too Many Business Ideas—What Do I Do and Where Do I Start? [Encore Episode] Aug 17, 2023

We sunset AskPat earlier this year, but we wanted to republish some of the highest-downloaded episodes of all time in case you missed them. Tune in now!

#1177 If you're a creative person of some kind, you know what it's like to be in a flow state, so focused on the thing you're working on. That's how you create great art, right? Well, if you treat your business ideas in the same way, you can create something great there, too. Today I'm talking to Chris Fleck, a person of many talents: art, comedy, video production, and more. There's so much he loves to do, and is really good at, but he's a little bit stuck. He has too many business ideas. He's being pulled in multiple directions, and as a result he feels like he's going nowhere. You might be able to relate to Chris, faced with multiple options and not sure which one to pick. You might worry about what'll happen if you choose one path and leave the others behind. How do you make the right choice? That's what we're talking about today. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1177.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Jim from Spanish and Go Apr 13, 2023

#1269 Today's Where Are They Now? session is truly special! You see, my returning guest has done a fantastic job of adapting and refocusing when circumstances almost shut his business down. So how did he pull it off? In this episode, I'm catching up with Jim from Spanish and Go to find out. He runs a fantastic brand with his wife, May, helping people connect to the culture and language of Spanish-speaking countries. The pandemic put an abrupt stop to the high-ticket retreats at the core of their monetization strategy, but a shift to podcasting helped Jim and May offset that in a big way. Their show is up from sixty thousand to almost a million downloads since we last spoke. That's insane! Now, Spanish and Go has become a thriving six-figure business. Join us for this great discussion to learn how Jim has leveraged his organic audience growth to attract sponsors and create a community of superfans! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1269.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? RJ Weiss Apr 06, 2023

#1268 We all want more website traffic, but what can we do to hook visitors in and get them back for more when they stumble across our content? That's the topic of today's Where Are They Now? session with RJ Weiss of TheWaysToWealth.com. You see, most information is freely available from multiple sources. So if you're building a brand, how do you stand out as the go-to authority in your niche? RJ and I brainstorm several tactics that do exactly that. We explore balancing his SEO strategy with superfan-building content, storytelling, lead magnets, email marketing, and more. A personal touch is essential in today's online landscape if you want to start building word of mouth around your mission. Join RJ and me for this great conversation to discover how to make that happen, even if it doesn't come naturally to you! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1268.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Joe Casabona Mar 30, 2023

#1267 A lot can happen in a short time. In this Where Are They Now? session, I'm catching up with Joe Casabona of Podcast Liftoff. His progress in the months since our chat in episode 1238 has been incredible, so we have to share it with you! When we last spoke, Joe and I brainstormed ideas to grow his email list with effective lead magnets. He has since been able to attract hundreds of new highly targeted subscribers using the tactics we discussed! On top of that, the finely tuned email sequence Joe has built is a thing of beauty. Today, we get an inside look at how he pulled it off so quickly! Joe is also experimenting with webinars, and the results have blown him away. I love that he is now doubling down and taking advantage of this powerful tool to grow his brand! Listen in for a peek at a success story in the making! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1267.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Kara Gott Warner Mar 23, 2023

#1266 Don't miss this Where Are They Now? session because it highlights a very important stage in the entrepreneurial journey. You see, a lot of trial and error is involved in finding a business idea that sticks. My returning guest, Kara Gott Warner, is a perfect example of persistence and niching down to discover the right opportunity! Listen in to hear all about how her business has evolved and how she is now working more closely with her clients than ever! I often talk about the essential dynamic between visionaries and integrators in business. Kara is doing an excellent job putting this concept into practice. When she noticed her clients struggling to find podcast production support, she stepped up to take on the job and restructure her brand around it in a big way. Kara offers a heavy dose of inspiration for anyone still searching for the perfect niche, so tune in and enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1266.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Joaquin Elizondo Mar 16, 2023

#1265 This is a very exciting Where Are They Now? episode because my returning guest is doing incredible work on major Hollywood productions. He loves the job and has created a business on the side teaching others how to follow in his footsteps. But, with limited time available, where should he focus his energy? Over at HollywoodEditingMentor.com, Joaquin Elizondo shares his soft-skill-focused method for breaking into the film industry. With an audience demanding more and more content, Joaquin is in a great spot to take his course-based business to the next level. Here's the thing. Without the right tactics, splitting our focus into several directions at once is a recipe for burnout. Today, we explore the possibilities and land on an effective and sustainable scaling strategy for Joaquin. The concepts we discuss here apply to anyone working a full-time job and building a business at the same time, so listen in to learn more. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1265.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Andrea Davis Mar 09, 2023

#1264 This Where Are They Now? episode is a perfect example of why I love this format. My returning guest, Andrea Davis of Better Screen Time, is doing fantastic work that I have to share with you! Andrea is a member of SPI Pro and one of our first students in Smart From Scratch. She has brilliantly applied knowledge from our courses and communities to help families create healthy content consumption habits. Today we hear all about how Better Screen Time has grown and evolved. Andrea is now spreading her message through public speaking, and the impact on her business has been incredible! Getting on more stages has also been a game-changer for me, so I love seeing entrepreneurs leveraging this powerful tactic. With TikTok taking over many children's lives, Andrea's mission is more important than ever. Listen in on our conversation to hear all about how she has built a fantastic course-based business to support her efforts! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1264.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Jake Gosselin Mar 02, 2023

#1263 Today we're continuing our fantastic Where Are They Now? episode run. I love these conversations because we learn exactly how our AskPat coaching sessions impact entrepreneurs just like you. My returning guest has been on the show in episodes 1053, 1097, and 1197 and is now back to share his amazing progress. Listen in on my interviews with Jake Gosselin of Churchfront and Worship Ministry School for an absolutely unique glimpse at the makings of a success story. Jake has followed the basic strategies we always talk about here, and the results speak for themselves. He brings in over one million dollars a year through everything from courses to high-ticket offers. Jake has built an incredible membership site around the expertise that some of his clients are paying $10K to gain in-person access to! Don't miss out on our chat because you'll hear all about the pivotal moments that have made this success possible! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1263.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Mark Savant Feb 23, 2023

#1262 Wow, the transformation you'll witness today is absolutely incredible! My returning guest has made unbelievable strides in his business. Not only that, but he has been able to quit his job and go all-in on entrepreneurship! Mark Savant is back for a Where Are They Now? session to remember. I had him on the show before, but the Mark we hear from today is a new man. Niching down has done wonders for his brand. On top of that, his online community is now bringing in enough recurring revenue to replace his old job. Listen in on this episode to hear Mark's vivid (and hilarious) description of what it was like to work full-time and grow a business on the side. Let's just say that he's saving himself a lot of hurt! This is a great chat about standing out in your industry and finding the perfect messaging to attract a highly targeted audience! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1262.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Stacy Brookman Feb 16, 2023

#1261 Today we're continuing our fan-favorite Where Are They Now? series. It's Stacy Brookman's third time on the show, and we get yet another incredible look at her business! Through RealLifeResilience.com, Stacy helps women who are fed up with the corporate ladder climb to the top on their own terms. She is changing more lives than ever, but not without some ups and downs since our chat in episode 1150. With a book deal in place, everything was going according to plan for Stacy. But, sometimes, a big lightbulb moment can change everything. Listen in on this session for an unexpected update and a glimpse at a massive pivot. Stacy also shares her experience with public speaking. Hearing about her progress, the lessons learned, and the impact her talks have had on her brand is absolutely inspiring. Join us for this fantastic update about the vital importance of evolving and adapting in business! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1261.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Aaron LeBauer Feb 09, 2023

#1260 We're continuing our fantastic Where Are They Now? episode run today. My returning guest, Aaron LeBauer, has helped thousands of physical therapists build and scale their practices. Our chat in episode 1159 about running successful virtual events and creating engaging community experiences online was a blast! But how has Aaron put his plans into action? Today we hear all about his PTBIZCON event and how he's providing his audience with incredible learning opportunities. Aaron is leveraging powerful strategies to make participants feel special and get the most out of his conferences. He shares his approach with us in this episode. Aaron and I also discuss event pricing and the pros and cons of using Facebook groups. Join us for this great catch-up to learn how virtual events can serve your niche and grow your business. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1260.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Hel Reynolds Feb 02, 2023

#1259 This Where Are They Now? episode is a perfect example of why I love this format. My returning guest, Hel Reynolds of Comms Creatives, has made absolutely amazing progress since we last spoke! Back in episode 1174, Hel was having trouble prioritizing her business opportunities. Squirrel syndrome is something I'm all too familiar with, so I shared a number of my most powerful time-management strategies with her. Hel has since implemented the 20% itch rule and structured her week so that she puts in impactful work at key times. As expected, the results in her business have been incredible! But while Hel's current scheduling approach is rife with tips we can all leverage, she's still struggling to rein in her weekends and take time off. In this session, Hel and I explore new tactics to help her disconnect from work and return feeling restored. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1259.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Sarah Donoghue (formerly Murphy) Jan 26, 2023

#1258 Today's Where Are They Now? session is one for the books. You see, the first time we heard from my returning guest was all the way back in episode 0132. That's crazy! When we last spoke in episode 1175, the pandemic had hit Sarah Donoghue's Alchemilla.co business pretty hard. But here's the thing. Something absolutely extraordinary happened right after our talk. It actually wasn't the advice I shared that led to it. It was you, the listeners, who made this happen! Joining us today is someone who has become an integral part of Sarah's business as a direct result of that episode. You'll hear from Ashton Cayce of SausageTreeLotion.com about how she's bringing Sarah's vision to a whole new market. This is a fantastic discussion about physical products and what can happen when you keep pushing in the face of adversity. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1258.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Emory Wanger Jan 19, 2023

#1257 Today we're continuing our fantastic Where Are They Now? episode run. Emory Wanger, my returning guest, is someone who I often use as an example because of the incredible way he serves his niche. At ByLand.co, he provides backpackers at any level with the specific resources that make sense for them. As you know, we're deeply committed to online communities here at SPI. One thing we rarely talk about, however, is creating and running free Facebook groups. In fact, we've advised our listeners against that strategy here and on our Community Experience podcast. But are Facebook groups ever the right move for a business, and can we use them to attract and drive traffic to our offerings? Emory may have cracked the code! This chat is an inside look at how he runs his massive group of 30,000 members without it descending into chaos. Join us to find out more! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1257.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Dan Bennett Jan 12, 2023

#1256 For this awesome Where Are They Now? session, we're reconnecting with The Antipreneur himself. Dan Bennett of VideoForEntrepreneurs.com is a wonderful member of SPI Pro, and that's exactly what we talk about today. You see, he has leveraged business communities to grow his brand in a very powerful way. I've mentioned this incredible strategy before, but Dan has been walking the walk and seeing massive results. If you want to stand out online, this is the perfect way to serve others and monetize your passion without coming across as spammy or salesy. At VideoForEntrepreneurs.com, Dan helps people look and sound great on camera. We heard all about his business in episode 1209 of AskPat and episode 029 of our Community Experience podcast. Anyone can follow in Dan's footsteps, so make sure you join us for another chat with him to find out how to do it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1256.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Dr. Kimberly Reynolds Jan 05, 2023

#1255 This is a very special Where Are They Now? session. You see, my returning guest was able to quit her full-time job just three months after our first AskPat call together. But she actually decided to go against my advice and follow her gut instead! Now, to be honest, that's not exactly the whole story. I'll let Dr. Kimmy of The Doctor Coach School share the twists and turns of her journey with you. Suffice it to say, she's serving more people than ever, and business is booming. I say it all the time—the riches are in the niches. By narrowing our focus, we're actually helping more people. This is a counterintuitive strategy that many beginner entrepreneurs struggle with. Dr. Kimmy was able to overcome this hurdle and take her business to the next level. In today's episode, we hear all about how she found her voice and is now helping women doctors of color transform their lives. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1255.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Jackie Bolen Dec 29, 2022

#1254 Today, we're bookending 2022 with an absolutely incredible Where Are They Now? session. Don't miss this one because my returning guest has accomplished something I genuinely didn't think was possible. Jackie Bolen of ESLspeaking.org has written and published over one hundred books in her niche. That's insane! I had to reconnect with her to learn about the systems she has in place that allow her to be so prolific. You'll hear all about that in this episode. What might surprise you is just how powerful and replicable these business basics can be. We've had Jackie on episodes 1003, 1046, 1147, and 1189. The evolution is incredible and a perfect example of what can happen if you apply the simple tactics we often discuss here. Jackie is now in a fantastic position where her business might be ready for sale. Listen in to find out exactly how she did it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1254.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Rose Griffin Dec 22, 2022

#1253 Today we're kicking off a Where Are They Now? episode run that's going to take us well into 2023. I love these conversations because we learn exactly how our AskPat coaching sessions impact entrepreneurs just like you. Today's returning guest is someone who's doing absolutely amazing work. Rose Griffin helps speech therapists and other professionals make meaningful progress with their autistic learners. She runs ABA Speech and hosts the Autism Outreach podcast, both of which are going so well that she's been able to leave her nine-to-five job. Rose has made great use of our courses and communities and is now transitioning away from one-on-one work to spend more time growing her brand. Today we talk about hiring help, using an email list to skyrocket your business, and video marketing on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Don't miss this inspiring chat because Rose is the perfect example of how serving others can lead to massively fulfilling results! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1253.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Scale My Community and Make the Experience Even Better for Members? Dec 15, 2022

#1252 This is a massive success story! David Young worked for the FBI before joining my first SPI Accelerator program in 2018. He credits that as the foundation on which he has since sold over $5 million in online courses! David helps his students learn the ins and outs of flying drones for commercial purposes. He has seen unbelievable growth in such a short time but wants to find additional ways to serve his niche. Many people are already taking his Drone Launch Academy courses, but how does he get them to stick around and form a community? Today I share the techniques that have given us the best results with SPI Pro. We discuss community events, spotlighting your members, and understanding the objections that stop people from joining your community. Listen in on this inspirational chat to find out more about applying these powerful strategies to your business! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1252.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Community and Membership Programs? Dec 08, 2022

#1251 What is the number one way to grow your audience when you're just starting out? Before you can expect people to discover you, showing up and providing value through existing channels is key. In this coaching session, I'm joined by Paul Higgins of the Cloud Consultants Collective and PaulHigginsMentoring.com. He is an expert in his industry who runs a Slack community for fellow cloud consultants, a niche of about sixty thousand people worldwide. So how should Paul go about reaching a highly targeted group? With no one else attempting this, how does he become the de facto online resource in his domain? I always say that the riches are in the niches, so I walk Paul through several strategies that can help him build authority and scale his business. We explore leveraging ebooks, keynotes, LinkedIn, and existing product communities to create a personal brand while serving others. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1251.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Go from Idea to Product Fast? Dec 01, 2022

#1250 Tim Ferriss once asked me a powerful question—what would this look like if it were easy? When we feel overwhelmed, it's often because we make our work more complex than it needs to be. Most of the time, the easy path can deliver the same or better results with less effort. This is what we zero in on in this coaching session with my guest, Chris Greer. He is a religious leader and author who wants to run retreats for people in need of a break from the craziness of day-to-day life. Today, I help Chris identify and focus on the essential elements that can help him shave years off of his launch dates. We talk about beta releases, in-person events, the best social network to use, building an email list, and much more. Chris and I cover a lot of ground, and we land on some great actionable tips that are applicable to any business. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1250.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Chris Roy Nov 24, 2022

#1249 This week on the show, we're back with another Where Are They Now? session. My guest, Chris Roy of Doobert.com, is doing amazing work connecting animal shelters with transportation for rescues, foster homes, and more. When we last spoke, we explored several options to help Chris generate funds for Doobert. He had his entire team listen in on our chat as a starting point for new ideas. We now get to learn about the exciting pay-it-forward model they landed on. Chris gives us an inside look at how Doobert leverages e-commerce and drop-shipping in a way that feels genuine to their mission. He's a tech guy, so he shares all about the software solutions working behind the scenes to make it all happen. We also get into what's next for Doobert and how they're able to use their know-how to expand globally. Listen in to learn more about how Chris has built an incredible business around his passion! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1249.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Work Full-Time—How Do I Grow My Online Business? Nov 17, 2022

#1248 Many of you know I got laid off from my dream job in 2008 and started teaching architects how to pass the LEED exam as my first niche business. Luis Duque is now doing something very similar in the engineering space. He loves his job but also wants to share his knowledge and help others in his industry pass an exam. Luis hosts a podcast and shares resources and courses through his brand, Engineering Our Future. So, when you're not looking to build a massive audience, how do you engage people in your niche and find your superfans? With a full-time job and a family, what are the most efficient ways to grow a business? We discuss all that today. Luis and I explore paid advertising and other powerful avenues to help him reach targeted audiences. I also share some of the time-management tricks that help me stay productive. Listen in and enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1248.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Brand When Nothing Moves the Needle? Nov 10, 2022

#1247 What should you do when you don’t even know where to start in business? One thing you shouldn’t do is get so caught up with steps eight, nine, and ten that you lose focus of steps one, two, and three. Today, I’m chatting with Dr. Damaris Grossmann of Mindfully Integrative. She is a veteran who has overcome serious health issues and is now helping others do the same. But, with a lot of stuff going on, it’s easy to start worrying about the little things and forget the very real impact we have on people’s lives. In this coaching session, I help Dr. Damaris focus on the most effective strategies to grow her brand. We talk about why her small but targeted audience can be extremely powerful. I also share my tips for podcast guesting and book marketing to help her reach more people. Listen in on this chat for a strong dose of inspiration and motivation! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1247.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make the Leap from One-On-One Work to Passive Income? Nov 03, 2022

#1246 Getting to a point where there’s more demand for your services than you can handle is a dream come true, right? But what happens when you want to focus on building something bigger than yourself and have to turn down one-on-one clients to free up time? Today, I’m talking to Sybil Ackerman-Munson of Do Your Good. She works with philanthropists to help them figure out the most effective ways to donate money. We’re talking millions of dollars! But here’s the thing. Sybil’s expertise applies to donations of any size. She wants to take her business to the next level by creating resources for anybody looking to explore philanthropy. This means cutting back on client work and investing time into something that may or may pan out. In this coaching call, I share strategies that can enable her to halve her one-on-one work without losing any income. I also give her a new perspective on the risks she’s taking on. Often, these situations are not as frightening as we make them out to be in our heads! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1246.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Gillian Tietz Oct 27, 2022

#1245 I love sharing these Where Are They Now? episodes because the progress is often incredible. This session is no exception. Back in episode 1190, Gillian Tietz introduced us to her amazing podcast. Through Sober Powered, she helps people understand and overcome addiction. Her show is growing fast, but Gillian has her sights set on something even bigger. You’ll hear it from her, but she is building a legit empire. The Sober Powered Media Network brings podcasters in the addiction space together under one brand. The benefits in terms of marketing, monetization, and sponsor acquisition are unbelievable. We chat about all of that today. Of course, Gillian is under a lot of pressure. We also dive into how to manage the stress that comes with this level of responsibility and why transparency is key. This is an inspiring conversation for anybody looking to take their business to the next level! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1245.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Harness the Power of Community: Free Live Seminar Tuesday 10/25! Oct 21, 2022

The Business of Community Summit is a one-day virtual summit focused exclusively on the business thinking, decisions, and strategies needed to reach the economic potential of community for your business. You'll walk away with a clear roadmap for launching your own community this year! Visit SmartPassiveIncome.com/BCS to register for free.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Align My Messaging Perfectly with My Audience? Oct 20, 2022

#1244 Something powerful happens when we connect with a targeted audience using the right language. Our products start flying off the proverbial shelf when we niche down and articulate specific problems and solutions. Case in point, Julie Browne coaches people through unexpected identity loss. If that doesn’t paint a picture, think about unpredictable events like divorce, job loss, or maybe a health situation. Many people are left questioning who they are after losing a big part of their lives. I know I was when I got laid off in 2008. So how should Julie think about marketing her broad expertise? In this episode, we talk about targeted audiences, finding the right messaging, book and podcast marketing, and we even touch on building communities. There are plenty of takeaways for you today if you're struggling to find clarity and focus in business. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1244.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Actually Create Content When It’s Difficult to Do So? Oct 13, 2022

#1243 Often we create excuses for ourselves to mask the fear that’s actually holding us back. Azreer Gill lives in Cambridge Bay, Canada. He’s within the Arctic Circle, and, as you can imagine, that comes with some challenges. But are these obstacles a legitimate reason not to start a business that could save lives? Like many people in his community, Azreer has struggled with addiction. He is now seven years sober and wants to help people by sharing his recovery story, but he needs a push to get started. We discuss why podcasting is the perfect medium for him and how he can use it to build a targeted audience. Azreer does stand-up, so he’s already a great storyteller. When we use our experiences and define a problem better than our listeners, it’s natural for them to come to us for solutions. This episode is a great reminder to look under the hood and understand the source of your limiting beliefs. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1243.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Serve Multiple Avatars Who Consume My Content? Oct 06, 2022

#1242 What happens when you experiment with different tactics in your business to see what works? Usually, a few strategies pan out, while most don’t. But what do you do when suddenly everything you throw at the wall starts to stick? How do you zero in on the path that grows your business without taking up all your time? Bill Henry is an elementary music teacher and founder of Mr. Henry's Music World. He also co-hosts The Music Podcast for Kids, and runs an incredible music education YouTube channel! Bill serves multiple audiences, has courses for sale, affiliate marketing requests coming in, and even some very interesting franchising opportunities. We hop in the DeLorean today to help Bill get some clarity about what the future could look like. Saying yes to one opportunity often means saying no to others, so we need to know where our time is best spent. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1242.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Jadah Sellner Sep 29, 2022

#1241 As you know, I’ve written several books over the years. The support from readers has been phenomenal, and I’m massively grateful for it. Of course, it’s still important to look back at my book launches and think about what I would do differently now. That’s exactly what my returning guest, Jadah Sellner, wants to know. Jadah is an entrepreneur, business mentor, and host of the Lead with Love podcast. She has already released a recipe book but is now in the final stages of copy-editing her first business book! In this chat, we discuss the best tactics to get as many readers as possible. Jadah has brought her audience along for the writing process, which is crucial. I advise her on podcast guesting to promote the book and steer her away from strategies that haven’t worked for me. This is a great jam on book launches, and we also get into CTAs, lead magnets, and leveraging stories from beta readers. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1241.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So Much to Do & Hardly Any Time—What Should I Do? Sep 22, 2022

#1240 Some problems are great to have, even though it might not feel like it. When the businesses we’ve been putting valuable time into start to take off, it can get overwhelming. Matthew Usherwood has an office job and a family with two young kids. His brand, Distance Hiker, is growing like crazy, and he needs help figuring out what to focus on. In this coaching call, we reverse engineer what the company could look like based on Matthew's ultimate goal of taking it full-time. He is dealing with a bit of Squirrel Syndrome, so I help him prioritize the strategies that can work best for him. Matthew is also reluctant to rush into monetization and come off as salesy. You’ll hear me share my perspective about products that offer true value and how to get them in front of people the right way. Join us to learn about the tools we can leverage to stay on top of our growing businesses. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1240.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Use Social Media to Get More Book Readers? Sep 15, 2022

#1239 In business, different is sometimes better than better. Keith Hayden, is a prime example of this. He is an author and is doing incredibly unique things online to promote his fiction book. Keith has come up with a fantastic audiovisual "book experience" that breaks his novel down into bite-sized chunks for social media. But how should he go about getting more eyeballs on his content? We talk about building word-of-mouth, which is vital for any book release. We also discuss Keith creating these “book experiences” for other authors as a side gig. The inspiration for a lot of what Keith is doing is the sense of belonging he felt when he was military. He wants to recreate that for his superfans, which is very smart. This is an inspiring chat for all of us looking to build loyal, targeted audiences. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1239.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get More Downloads to My Lead Magnet? Sep 08, 2022

#1238 What can people get from you that they can’t get from anyone else? This is a vital question that many beginner entrepreneurs can't answer. When I asked Joe Casabona about his unique offer, his reply blew me away. So what does he do? Joe helps podcasters earn their first $10,000 off of their shows! In this coaching session, we talk all about lead magnets. Joe wants to grow his email list, and he and I brainstorm some ideas to take the freebies he’s offering to the next level. Joe also hosts Make Money Podcasting and wants to reach a larger audience with the show. I talk to him about getting guest spots on other podcasts and how to maximize the impact those appearances have. I had a blast on this call with Joe, and we covered a lot of ground with plenty of tips for you along the way. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1238.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Use Social Media or Don’t Use Social Media? That’s the Question. Sep 01, 2022

#1237 Do you even need to use social networks at all? Social media is what we make of it, that’s why it’s vital to have a conscious approach if we decide to use it. Natasha Carrillo has been off social networks for the past ten years and is struggling with that decision. She co-hosts the Black and Brown Make Green podcast and wants to spread her message to more people. In this coaching session, we talk about social media as a broad-asking system instead of a broadcasting system and what that means exactly. We also discuss specifics like how much time to put in, how often you should post, and where. Many podcasters struggle on social media because they don’t have the right mindset. So we get into some podcast-specific tactics today as well. Natasha asks all the right questions in this episode, and this is a great one to help us protect ourselves against the pitfalls of social media. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1237.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Cassidy Tuttle Aug 25, 2022

#1236 In this "Where Are They Now?" session, I’m chatting with Cassidy Tuttle. She’s been a student of mine for a long time, and I actually had her on the SPI podcast way back on episode 283. Cassidy's Succulents and Sunshine is booming right now, and she needs help handling the growth and success of her business. Often when we first start delegating tasks to free up time, we end up giving ourselves a new job as a micromanager. Cassidy wants to become more comfortable letting others run with her ideas and things not turning out exactly how she envisioned them. She also understands that she can’t always be the face of her brand but doesn’t want to disappoint her audience. As our businesses grow and change, we sometimes just need to get out of our own way. So listen in, get inspired, and take your business to the next level! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1236.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Can I Do to Better Serve My Community? Aug 18, 2022

#1235 It can often be overwhelming to think about how we could grow our businesses. But one easy way to scale is to go just one level beyond what’s expected of us. In this coaching call, I’m chatting with Dustin John Staats of BGE's Tabletop. They sell board games online and have also opened up a brick-and-mortar store recently. Dustin wants to provide more value to his customers and keep them coming back. He’s already doing some really smart things, like sending a Bonjoro video with every order to make the buyers feel special. We talk about defining value for his target audience and putting the spotlight on his community. Dustin and I brainstorm some cool ideas for his store that will inspire you to apply this kind of approach to your business as well. We also get into Deep Pocket Monster, and I talk about the strategies I use to stand out in the crowded Pokemon space and serve my audience there. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1235.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get More Time to Grow and Scale My Business? Aug 11, 2022

#1234 As a solopreneur, what do you do when your business idea finally takes off? If you don’t see a problem here, let me explain. You’re planning the next move, you’re creating content, you’re working on new products, you’re doing customer support and filing taxes. You’re doing everything! That’s where Chris Gilmour is at right now. He’s been a student of mine for a long time. He went through Smart From Scratch, our beginner entrepreneurs course, and explored a couple of ideas before landing on ChrisOutdoors.ca. His business is booming, but Chris is doing everything himself and feeling overwhelmed. So how should he grow his business from here? Listen in on this coaching call to hear us brainstorm strategies that would help him free up his time and bring in more customers. I walk Chris through everything from mastering the most relevant platforms right now to letting go of certain tasks and starting to hire out. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1234.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Promote Free Content and Get More Customers? Aug 04, 2022

#1233 A mistake many entrepreneurs make is to undercharge for their products. We want to help as many people as possible, if we don’t charge our worth we’ll never land on a sustainable business model. I’m chatting with Aneliya Manolova and Pierre Debraux today. They run Sci-Sport.com, where they provide clear and objective information about sports and exercise science. They have the PhDs to back them up but are afraid to start charging. I felt the same way when I first started selling and I walk them through a few thought experiments to figure out the best pricing strategy for them. We look at how the perception of value would change and the kind of clients they’d attract at different price points. I also help them see their offering in the larger context of what their target audience members are buying to get similar results. Lots of takeaways today. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1233.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Wendy Lewis Jul 28, 2022

#1232 Today, we're back with another Where Are They Now? session. Back in episode 1181, Wendy Lewis had a book coming out, and she was creating her first online course. She was feeling overwhelmed, so I gave her some tips about starting small and keeping things simple. Something I said really stuck with her: “Fail small to win big.” I should say that more often. So how has Wendy been taking action? She’s a board-certified reflexologist and taking that kind of business online can be difficult, but she’s been doing a fantastic job. We talk about her ups and downs and hear about the amazing beta launch she just did for her course. We also talk about all the fun things Wendy has planned for her business and how SPI Pro is helping her stay motivated. Make sure to listen in on our call and use the inspiration to take action in your own business! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1232.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Best Organize and Promote the Offerings in My Business? Jul 21, 2022

#1231 As entrepreneurs, we provide value in our niche through great products and services. But what if your target audience never buys anything from you? What if someone else is making the actual purchase? Jeff Gargas is dealing with this in his business, Teach Better. They market themselves to teachers with free content, but then it’s school administrators or curriculum directors who pay for their premium offerings. This type of business model comes with some challenges but also some opportunities that Jeff and I explore today. He has new courses coming out all time and a membership site. We go through a few thought experiments and land on several options that would expand this side of his business. Jeff has a lot of knowledge and asks some deep questions about pricing. We zero in on finding the strategy that would best serve his audience and bring in more revenue. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1231.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Scale My Business the Right Way? Jul 14, 2022

#1230 Two things will change the game for you when you're scaling your business: relationships and stories. So how do you leverage them the right way? Today I talk to Caelan Huntress. He has a book coming out called Marketing Yourself, so we get to go into the nitty-gritty of expanding your reach. Caelan is planning a podcast tour for his upcoming book, which is really smart. But how should he message podcasters he’s not connected with yet? I get a lot of requests, so we dive deep into what works and what doesn’t. We talk about leveraging existing relationships, cold messaging podcasters the right way, using stories to have a massive impact, and some neat tricks you can use to get in front of more people. Podcast tours are a fantastic way to grow your business. Caelan asks all the right questions, so we come up with some great ideas and lots of actionable tips in this session. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1230.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Audience When I Mainly Do 1 on 1? Jul 07, 2022

#1229 Junaid Ahmed has been behind the camera for three decades, but after meticulously setting up his home studio and sitting in front of the camera for the first time the words just wouldn’t come out. He managed to solve his problem and is now busy helping others do the same. The thing is, as a father of three, time is limited. How does he scale up from one-on-one coaching and grow his business? Today we talk about the special mechanisms coaches can use to have more impact. We brainstorm some genius ideas to move his brand forward and free up the time he needs to spend with his family. Junaid admits he’s deep in the weeds and can’t see the whole picture. On this call, I help him zero in on a strategy that takes full advantage of the skills and strengths he’s developed. Show notes and more at smartpassiveincome.com/ap1229.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who Should My Next Hire Be? Jun 30, 2022

#1228 Today we're speaking with Sally Sparks-Cousins, who has an amazing brand that helps entrepreneurs build, measure, and optimize their sales funnels. You can find her at Sparkle Class Academy or TheFreedomFunnelFormula.com. Our focus today is hiring, because Sally is both a visionary and an integrator. She has great ideas as a visionary. And as an integrator, she wants to plan and execute and get her hands dirty building things. There are a lot of things Sally wants to hold onto—but a lot of things she knows she'll get back if she hires the right person. So who does she hire, and how does she maximize her investment? Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1228.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm a Coach, So How Do I Get PASSIVE Income? Jun 23, 2022

#1227 How do you create passive income as a coach who spends a lot of time teaching your clients directly? That's what we're talking about today with Maxine Shapiro, a coach who also has a customer experience podcast called Let's Talk About CEX. She's feeling like she can't branch out into passive income because the business revolves so much around her. We explore some things she might do to expand her brand and start generating passive income. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1227.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My List and Sell My Membership? Jun 16, 2022

#1226 Today we're speaking with Dave Donahue from GuitarACO.com. He's a guitar teacher with a private student base, as well as a YouTube channel. Dave just launched a new member community with his initial group of about 20 “alpha” members. I help him figure out how to structure his course to create the best experience for his students. We also discuss YouTube ads and other potential ad platforms that could help Dave get more members. We even talk a little branding. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1226.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Best Package and Share My Knowledge When There are Too Many Options? Jun 09, 2022

#1225 Today we're speaking with Tim Phillips from Sober and Happy. He's getting started on his journey with a business that helps people get sober and build the life they want. Tim has his foot in many different places, as far as content creation, social media, and building community. In this episode, we're going to narrow things down and figure out where Tim should—and shouldn't—be focusing his energy. He's drawn to blogging and podcasting. Should he focus on just these channels? Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1225.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s the Best Way to Sell My Knowledge When I’m Also Busy? Jun 02, 2022

#1224 Today, we're speaking with Toni Weiss, a screenwriter from Germany. Tony has an idea to help other screenwriters with his own online course—but he's got a limited amount of time because he has to direct and produce a new movie of his own. He's almost done filming and editing his screenwriting course, but what kind of a course should it be—fully prerecorded, or with some live training? Should he use a cohort-based course model? How should he price it and market it? He doesn't have really have an audience for it yet, so how should he build one? Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1224.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Some New Ways to Get More Leads? May 26, 2022

#1223 Today I'm excited to chat with Matt Woicik from ml2solutions.com and digitalmarketingextreme.com. Pre-pandemic, Matt connected with a lot of local businesses in person through places like his local Chamber of Commerce. But once in-person connections shut down—and many businesses starting struggling just to keep their doors open—Matt found his leads starting to evaporate. I help him brainstorm creative ways to generate more leads for his business and get in front of new audiences. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1223.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get More Students for My Online Course? May 19, 2022

#1222 Today we're speaking with Phil Hayes-St Clair of philhsc.com. He's a girl dad, serial entrepreneur, and educator. He owns a talent for relationship building. He's been so successful at making connections that he's had a lot of people asking him how he does it. So, he created a course with the help of our Heroic Online Courses course, and he's already got a beta group of students learning from him. But how should he scale it without taking away from the other important things in his life? We talk about a few strategies he could try, as well some he shouldn't. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1222.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Tailor My Marketing to Different Audiences? May 12, 2022

#1221 Greg Langston from CollegeFlightPlan.com is today's guest. His business helps teens (and their parents) understand their values, purpose, and superpowers so they can make good decisions about their education and career. This is stuff I wish existed when I was in high school, and I'm sure many other parents have understood just how powerful this kind of support can be, especially if it can save them tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. So what does Greg need help with? Well, he has two target audiences—students and parents—and he needs to know if he's on the right track with how he's marketing to both of them. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1221.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make the Right Offer to My Audience? May 05, 2022

#1220 Julie DeLucca-Collins of GoConfidentlyCoaching.com started her coaching business during the pandemic, when she lost her job. She realized she wanted to support others in stopping the overwhelm, getting focused, and building their business. Julie and I talk about how she's working with her clients now, and some of the issues that are coming up for her. She has multiple offerings, but some of the newer things she wants to offer don't seem to fit quite right—at least not on the surface. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1220.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Branch Out and Offer a Course to a New Niche? Apr 28, 2022

#1219 Michelle Mozes of MichelleMozes.com helps people with their branding, and business is going well. A big part of her success is that she's kept herself at the center of her brand, which lets her stand out from her competitors. Michelle has managed to 4X her revenue, but she's also feeling the urge to do more… she's just not sure exactly how, or as you'll learn today, why. She thinks she should create her own online course, but she's not convinced it's the right move, and she's feeling stuck. Through our conversation, Michelle has a small epiphany that helps her get perspective on what to do next. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1219.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Authentically Leverage My Guests to Grow My Podcast? Apr 21, 2022

#1218 Ling Yah Wong is the host of So This Is My Why, a cool podcast that draws some amazing guests. And she wants to know, how can she best leverage these big names? She wants to do it the right way, by using these big names to help grow her audience and create a win-win for everyone. So, how can we “name drop” in a way that feels authentic and not slimy? Doing things authentically and ethically is exactly what we want, especially as we're growing—because that's often where people fall off. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1218.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have Two Brands and Directions. How Do I Balance and Promote Both? Apr 14, 2022

#1217 Today we're talking with Michelle Waters, who has two businesses, reThink ELA and reThink Your Lifestyle. She's a former teacher who is noticing a big shift happening in the teaching world, with many teachers thinking about moving on and creating something new, either on the side or full-time. She's created reThink Your Lifestyle to help teachers figure out what kind of business they should start based on what they love the most about teaching. Meanwhile, with reThink ELA, she creates lesson plans for English teachers who want to better connect with their students. She's trying to balance these two brands and not sure how to best manage them both. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1217.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Authentically Lean into My New Direction? Apr 07, 2022

#1216 Today we're talking with Karthik Vijayakumar of DesignYourThinking.com. Karthik is a member of SPI Pro, and through his participation in the community has found a new direction for his business that he's really excited about: sales page copywriting. But he's having a dilemma around leaning in to who he is—especially because he gets a lot of inspiration from myself and from Team SPI. He's struggling with how to balance being inspired and motivated by somebody, but not wanting to step on their toes or make it appear like he's blatantly copying them. We talk about the difference between emulating vs. copying others, and we dig into the strategy and psychology of pricing your services. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1216.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Expand My Brand or Stay Niche? Mar 31, 2022

#1215 Today I'm talking to Matt of SkylandersCharacterList.com, who's in an interesting niche—and an interesting predicament. (You may also remember Matt from episode 10 of The Community Experience!) He started a business in a very focused niche: selling collectibles for Skylanders, a toys-to-life action-adventure video game series that's no longer being made. It's been going well, but Matt is worried that his market might dry up. Matt started one inch wide and one mile deep. So should he go wider, or deeper? That's what we discuss today. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1215.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Let Go of the Past to Become the Best Entrepreneur I Can Be? Mar 24, 2022

#1214 This might be one of the most useful episodes of this podcast you've heard in a long time. Michelle Krieg does a lot of work in the yoga space, and she's had a long journey to get to where she's at, with a lifestyle that she loves for the most part. But she's still feeling held back. Through our conversation, Michelle realizes she needs to let go of some of the thought patterns she's been operating with recently. She realizes she needs to let go of her regret that she's not using the degree she worked for as a yoga teacher. And she also needs to let go of the hustle-and-grind mindset that got her where she is, but isn't serving her anymore. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1214.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Help Those Who Can’t Afford Me One on One? Mar 17, 2022

#1213 Today we're speaking with Alexandra Mannerings of Merakinos, a data services and analytic education company devoted to helping nonprofits and mission-driven organizations amplify their impacts through data. Alexandra is trying to transform the way nonprofits use data and analytics to be more successful with their chosen mission. Her services cost a lot, but she doesn't want to exclude organizations that can't afford the services of a data analyst. I help Alexandra brainstorm how she can validate the unique “consortium” model she has in mind for making analytics more accessible to the nonprofit world. She leaves with some interesting questions, ideas, and experiments to run. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1213.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Launch My Community and Know It’s Going to Work? Mar 10, 2022

#1212 Today we're speaking with Ashton and DC, a wife-and-husband combo with a real estate business called REI Remodel. They're creating educational materials for would-be real estate investors, and they also want to build a "club" or community for these folks. As you know, at SPI we're all about the power of community, and I talk with DC and Ashton about the iterative process they can use to know exactly how to build that community. We discuss how they can find and talk to their target audience, to learn about their desires and pain points and how they talk about them, and go from there. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1212.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Start and Promote My Specialized Course? Mar 03, 2022

#1211 Today, we're speaking with Jodi Gregory from SeekInfo.com. Jodi helps people with advanced research strategies—way more than just a simple Google search. She's been doing this for twenty years now. And recently, she's had an inclination to teach people how to do what she's been doing through a cohort-based course. But she's feeling stuck with how to get the course up and running—and especially how to find students for it. I help Jodi nail down just who this specialized course may be for, and how she can position it. Jodi's also a member of our latest Heroic Online Courses Bootcamp, and I talk a little in this episode about how the bootcamp gives you the tools and support you need to create a course students will rave about. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1211.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm an Introvert. How Can I Get Better at Selling My Online Course? Feb 24, 2022

#1210 Today I'm talking with a self-proclaimed introverted entrepreneur, Mark Wilson, who has a company called Sales for Introverts. Yes, he helps introverts become better salespeople. I think it's an awesome niche, and not just because I'm an introvert myself. I know the mindset struggles of making sales and growing a business when you don't feel naturally extroverted. Mark has overcome his own introvert sales struggles and put what he's learned into an online course—and now he wants to do a better job selling it. We dig into whether he should focus his efforts on just one approach because of his limited time. We also unpack whether Mark should be selling his course to consumers or other businesses. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1210.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Be More Personal and Engaging with My Audience Online? Feb 17, 2022

#1209 Today we're speaking with Dan Bennett, known as The Antipreneur. He helps entrepreneurs make better videos, tell better stories, and build better businesses. Dan has a lot of experience on YouTube and building audiences. He does a great job connecting with people in person, and he needs some help bridging the online and IRL worlds. We talk YouTube and storytelling, quizzes and lead magnets, the awesomeness that is SPI Pro, and even live podcasts. There are a lot of golden nuggets you'll pick up in today's episode, little things that can change the game for your audience-building and community-building efforts. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1209.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Increase Brand Awareness through Partnerships? Feb 10, 2022

#1208 Today, we're talking with Trixi from SewASoftie.com, a not-for-profit charitable opportunity that helps kids learn how to sew. Sew A Softie has been growing tremendously. Trixie's challenge now is figuring out what to do next and how she can grow her brand awareness and reach even more people. The catch is that Sew A Softie is a one-person show, so Trixie is limited in terms of how much time she can devote to new projects. One key opportunity might be to find others in the arts and crafts space she can partner with. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1208.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Convince My Audience I Have What They Need? Feb 03, 2022

#1207 Today we're speaking with Chris Tiley from Never Too Old to Lift. He's a physiotherapist (physical therapist, in US terms) who works mostly with older folks who want to move and feel better. Chris's approach to helping people feel better and get stronger is through strength training—hence the name of his business. But as we talk about today, strength training may be what people need to feel better. So how do we guide people from what they want to what they need? That's what we tackle today. We also discuss how Chris can balance creating and launching an online course with the time demands of his physical practice, as well as being a father and a husband. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1207.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow and Monetize My YouTube Channel? Jan 27, 2022

#1206 Today we're talking with Kim, who runs GentlyBeing.com and the YouTube channel of the same name. She creates these really cool spiritual, meditative videos that relate to the season we're in, like the winter solstice, the full moon, and other times of year. She has over a thousand subscribers, and she's in the middle of trying to understand how she can scale up and do even better. We go through a few different ideas for Kim's YouTube strategy, including using playlists smartly, and how she can start monetizing her channel. Kim also doesn't want to be in front of the camera too much, and she's worried this will hold back her channel's growth. So we talk through how she can create a successful channel without actually being in the videos. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1206.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Turn Viewers and Listeners into Members? Jan 20, 2022

#1205 Today we're talking to Jim from Spanish and Go, who joined us in episode 1,151. Jim and his wife and business partner, May, run a business that connects English speakers who want to travel to Spanish-speaking countries with people in those countries, to help them learn the language and culture. Unfortunately, Spanish and Go was incredibly affected by the pandemic in a not-so-great way. Jim and May had to cancel several Spanish immersion retreats they'd lined up right before the pandemic began and refund everyone who had signed up. Their YouTube ad revenue was slashed in half. And they had just started a podcast with a membership component to create some extra income. We talk about some of the things Jim and May did first in the wake of this shock. And we'll talk about the moves they've made since and where they are now. I think you'll find this one helpful if your business has been struggling lately, from the effects of the pandemic or otherwise. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1205.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Jake Lang Jan 13, 2022

Today, we have another person who's been on the show before, back in episode 1116: Jake Lang from TheEntrepreneurRideAlong.com and author of StepOneBook.com. At the time of that first conversation with Jake, he was focusing on so many different business ideas. So I suggested he narrow things down a little bit. He took my advice, and seems to be hitting his stride. I love the new direction he's taking and how he's both getting time back and putting more dollars in his pocket as a result. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1204.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Sell a High-Ticket Product Authentically? Jan 06, 2022

#1203 Happy New Year, and welcome to episode 1,203 of AskPat 2.0! We have another "Where are they new?" episode today. Sam Gavis-Hughson has been an AskPat 2.0 guest not once, but twice before. His company, Byte-by-Byte.com, helps people get their dream jobs as software engineers. The way Sam's business has progressed since we first talked to him has been really incredible, going from a single $37 course to a nearly $4,000 program. What does Sam's business look like now? How did he pull that off? That's what we'll unpack today. This episode could be a great one if you're considering how you might take something you started with and turn it into a high-ticket item that serves fewer people, but does so more deeply and makes you more money.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Steve Collins Dec 30, 2021

#1202 I'm excited to bring back Steve Collins of TeachHoops.com, who joined us in episode 1013. His target audience is other basketball coaches at all levels, and when we last spoke, he was building his membership site. Well, Steve has made some even bigger strides since then. He's building out his YouTube channel. And get this—he has not one, not two, not three, but four podcasts. Yes, four. How does he manage production for four separate shows? That's one of the things we talk about today. And his plans for the future are incredible and inspiring. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1202.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Tarun Agarwal Dec 23, 2021

#1201 In today's “Where are they now?” episode we're chatting with Tarun, a dentist who was with us in episode 1,035. Back then, I helped him through his hangups about creating his own recorded content after his in-person dental work over at 3d-dentists.com was affected by the pandemic. This is a fun episode, and I think you'll be surprised and impressed to hear what Tarun's been up to. Although his work-life balance has been a bit of a challenge, he's moved on to some really exciting new stuff. He's up to something especially cool when it comes to live events—something that gets my own wheels turning about a similar idea I have. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1201.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Meryl Johnston Dec 16, 2021

#1200 I'm excited to bring back another entrepreneur who's been on the show before: Meryl Johnston, the founder and CEO of Bean Ninjas, an accounting service for ecommerce businesses. Meryl was on episode 1,113 , when she was thinking of adding some new services and even creating an all-new brand. Not surprisingly, a lot has changed for Meryl since then. Her business has made some pivots, and she shares some big announcements that I'm excited to share with you. She's even started a family. Oh, and I also have a big announcement to share at the end of this episode. So stick around for that! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1200.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? David Orozco Dec 09, 2021

#1199 In today's "Where are they now?" episode, David Orozco of OrozcoNutrition.com returns to talk about what's happened for him and his business since our first conversation in episode 1,141. Back then, he was balancing a couple of brands and trying to figure out which one to focus on and how to organize everything he was doing. Since then he's gone through a rebrand and narrowed down his ideal customer avatar. Today we talk about David's recent hires, as well as some strategies you can apply as you move forward and make decisions in your own brand. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1199.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Lela Burris Dec 02, 2021

#1198 We're finishing up the year with a string of "Where are they now?" episodes to inspire you and get you excited for 2022. These are episodes where we bring back people who I've coached on the show before to talk about where they're at now. Today we're talking with Lela Burris, who is a professional organizer turned blogger. The last time we chatted with Lela, in episode 1,142, she was having some trouble. She was having identity issues related to what she should focus on with her brand. Should she focus on her audience of moms on her blog? Or should she continue her professional work, going into people's homes and helping them organize? Since then, Lela has made some big, clear decisions—and some amazing things have happened for her, which is what we'll be talking about today. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1198.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Jake Gosselin Nov 25, 2021

#1197 This month we've been bringing back people who've been coached on the show before to see how things are going. And today we're reconnecting with Jake Gosselin of Churchfront, which helps ministries lead gospel-centered, tech-savvy worship. To this point, Jake's business has centered around a membership program and online course. He also has a popular YouTube channel under the same name. The last time he was on the show we discussed how he could potentially offer another, high-ticket item on top of the membership and course. Today we'll hear how everything's been going since then, as well as a new project Jake's got up his sleeve. Jake references my Pokémon channel, and we use that as a springboard to some crucial topics: how to focus on the things that matter, allocating time appropriately, so we can be there for our businesses and our families. There's lot of great stuff in this episode, and I can't thank Jake enough for coming back to give us an update because, wow, what an update it is. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1197.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Mark Savant Nov 18, 2021

#1196 Today we're talking with Mark Savant, who I interviewed back on episode 1165. Flash forward to today, and Mark is doing such an amazing job. In fact, as Mark tells me, he's made more money in the past three months than he did the past three years! But like many entrepreneurs whose business starts taking off, he's encountered a new set of problems and decision points. The main thing Mark is trying to figure out is how to organize and position his many services: what's the best way to present them so his audience will pick up what he's putting down? Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1196

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Rose Griffin Nov 11, 2021

#1195 All this month, November 2021, we're doing “Where are they now?” episodes. These are my favorite episodes to do, because we bring back people who have been coached on the show before, and learn what they did, what they didn't do, what has happened since. Today we're talking with Rose Griffin, who has a business over at ABA Speech. She is a speech language pathologist who helps so many people, not just through her website at ABASpeech.org, but also through her podcast, Autism Outreach. And a lot of stuff has happened for Rose since the last time she was on the show. She's been making amazing strides in just the two months since we last talked to her. She's overcome the mental block around pricing that was keeping her from upgrading the cost of her evergreen course from $99 to $297. She's been getting into the physical product space. And she has an exciting opportunity related to her podcast that's starting to bear fruit. Oh, and she's even got a little thing going on TikTok. As you'll hear in this episode, Rose isn't just an action taker. She's a planner. She's thinking about the future. And most of all, she's here to serve her community and her audience. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1195.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Joaquin Elizondo Nov 04, 2021

#1194 Today we're welcoming back Joaquin Elizondo of HollywoodEditingMentor.com. Joaquin helps people break into Hollywood as an editor. There's a lot of people online who teach editing, but Joaquin teaches the business of it and how to actually break into this industry, how to network and develop relationships. Joaquin's doing some amazing things, and he's a mentor to so many people. But he's gotten to a point where he needs some help figuring out his next move. We talk about what's happened for him since he was first on the show, and the struggle he's facing now. Because invariably when you make big decisions and start to grow your business, new problems crop up. And yes, what got you here won't get you there. That's the situation Joaquin is in, and it's what I help him figure out today. Joaquin is an amazing person who's truly in it to help people. We talk about everything from coaching to pricing, to his course, and scaling, and maybe most importantly, doing the work you love. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1194.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Cathy Mazak Oct 28, 2021

#1193 We have another special "Where are they now?" episode today. Our guest was actually one of the very first AskPat 2.0 guests: Cathy Mazak of CathyMazak.com. Cathy is a tenured professor who has a business helping academic womxn find time to write so they can make an impact in their academic field and have a balanced, fulfilled life. (It's spelled that way because, as Cathy says on her website, the business is geared toward helping women as well as non-men and nonbinary folks "change the culture of academia from the inside out.") In just the second episode of the new AskPat 2.0 format, Cathy was in her first year of business. She had a lot of decisions to make, especially around how much money she should be reinvesting in the business. We talk about what Cathy was dealing with back then, and the completely brand new set of problems she's facing. That's what happens when you take action and find success: the problems don't go away. They just change. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1193.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I 5x My Passive Income Revenue in My Business? Oct 21, 2021

#1192 Today we've got a great conversation with Mike Lander from Piscari. Mike helps sales and account teams learn how to negotiate through his online courses and consultations. He's been productizing some of his services and started to diversify, but he needs help generating more income from his courses. We discuss not just how to diversify smartly, but how Mike can lean into some of his superpowers and position his digital course to generate more sales. Mike is in the B2B space, which is a little bit different from many businesses that work directly with consumers, but the strategies and principles we talk about can apply to lots of businesses. So if this Mike's situation sounds like yours, I think you're going to find some amazing information in this episode. In fact, at the very end, Mike says, "Wow, Pat, I have five or six takeaways I can implement right away." So I hope you stick around and listen to this episode, because this is one about superpowers. It's about diversification, productizing, and leaning into the things that make you you. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1192.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Reinvigorate an Ecommerce Business That’s Stalled? Oct 14, 2021

#1191 Today we're speaking with Tracy Diane Jones, a geologist, author, and owner of the website Mini Me Geology. Not only does her business name have a nice ring to it, but Mini Me Geology is also a great resource for kids, teachers, and parents, to learn more about rocks. And Tracy does literally rock! She helps kids develop a love for geology through the kits, books, and activities available on her website. With the rise in interest in STEM education, Tracy's business was doing pretty well, but then some stuff happened in her personal life. She's been trying to get back on track, but she's finding that the old strategies for growing Mini Me Geology haven't been working so well lately. By the end of our conversation, you'll hear that Tracy pretty much knew what she had to do, but was a little scared or reluctant to embrace and take these necessary steps. So what are those steps? Make sure you listen all the way through to find out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1191.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Social Media Followers to Listen to My Podcast!? Oct 07, 2021

#1190 Today we're talking with Gillian Tietz from Sober Powered. Gillian is an amazing person who's helping loads of people get sober with the help of her scientific background, through her podcast, website, Facebook group, and Instagram. I'm so proud of what Jillian is doing with her podcast and her platform, stepping up, being vulnerable and sharing her own story to help others. It's an amazing example of somebody who has gone through some stuff, who has found a solution, and is learning as much as they can and now wants to pass it forward. However, she's having a little bit of trouble connecting all of the pieces. Namely, her large following on Instagram and Facebook doesn't know her podcast exists or are not convinced enough to click play yet. That's what we're going to talk about today: how do we reduce the friction keeping people from getting from social media to our podcast? Because Gillian knows that when people listen to her show, it's changing lives. You'll hear a lot of good ideas today for drawing people in your community to your podcast, which you can hopefully implement if you have a podcast of your own! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1190.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Jackie Bolen (of AP 1046 and 1003) Sep 30, 2021

#1189 Time travel is one of my favorite things, and I love to incorporate it into AskPat by bringing people back to see how things have been going. Jackie Bolen of ESLSpeaking.org has actually been a guest on AskPat a couple of times before, in episodes 1003 and 1046. And she's been on an incredible journey. As you'll learn if you listen to her two previous episodes, she started out doing niche websites and helping people with ESL, and then doing some Amazon-focused stuff. She was going to partner with some people who were supposed to take a bunch of work off of her plate, but it didn't quite work out. Today we're going to dive a little bit deeper into what happened there and where things are now, and you're going to see this very nice story arc that Jackie has followed recently. Jackie is doing pretty well now, but she had to go through some messy stuff in the middle to find her way there. As her story shows, sometimes you don't realize how much you miss something or how good you had it until you don't have it anymore. Jackie's experience also shows the benefit of sticking with one niche and going deep, so you can build relationships and develop a much greater lifetime value (LTV) of each customer. Her story can be a great lesson for all of us, so check it out.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do I Overcome the Fears Around the Growth in My Business? Sep 23, 2021

#1188 Today we're talking with Stephanie Taylor from the UK. She and her sister have a business together at Rent2RentSuccess.com. That's essentially a way to rent a property from a landlord, then rent it out again. She and her sister teach others how to do this through their course and membership program. Things are starting to take off, but Stephanie is wondering: Now that we're here, how do we get to the next level? When you find a little success online, you might find yourself facing an even bigger challenge than the one that it took for you to get started. Now that you're making money, how do you make sure you don't lose it? How do you grow and scale the business? You have more options now, but you're faced with a fork in the road. How do you make the right decisions and avoid burnout or regret? How do you overcome the fear of success and growth because you're not mentally ready or don't know what to expect? All great questions we're going to tackle today! We uncover a lot of great things here, including how to get past some of the tricky psychology around making money, and we find some strategies to help Stephanie—and perhaps you—move forward. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1188.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's the Best Way to Continually Launch My Course, and Do You Think the Price is Right? Sep 16, 2021

#1187 Today on the show we're talking with Rose Griffin from ABASpeech.org. Rose is a seasoned speech therapist who's helped many people. Her specialty these days is helping professionals who work with people with complex speech disorders or autism. She's doing great work, and she's already got a course and a podcast out in the world. So what's she struggling with? Well, she wants to know whether to make her course evergreen, or only make it available at certain times of the year. Should she create some FOMO for her target audience by opening and closing the course at regular intervals? Or is that going to be too much work? We also get into a discussion about pricing. When you get to the moment Rose announces the price of her course, you might already know what I'm going to tell her. But stick around to find out. We really dig into the ins and outs of course launch strategy, as well as the mysteries of pricing (because seriously, pricing is weird). This is a great episode if you've got a course that's doing well and you want to make the most of it, so give it a listen. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1187.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Succeed Managing Two Websites AND Still Balance My Life? Sep 09, 2021

#1186 Today I have the pleasure of talking with Daz Cater over in the UK. Daz manages two different blogs, plus he has a full-time job in construction along with being a husband and dad of two kids, and he's wondering whether or not he can balance it all. This is a really fun conversation, especially because of Daz's main interest and the focus of one of his blogs at retrogamerdaz.com: retro toys and collectibles. (I'll just say that his video background is one of the coolest ones I've seen in all my years of interviewing people.) His other website, nextstopwdw.com, is a Disney travel blog where he offers tips and documents his family's journeys through Disney properties. He's built up a decent following on both sites, but he's feeling stuck. Can he manage both, or should he focus on just one of them? That's exactly what we chat about today. I think you'll get a kick out of this one, especially if you love collectibles, Disney, or both! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1186.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Passive Income Even Real, and How Do I Leave a Legacy? Sep 02, 2021

#1185 Today we're talking with Shira Kates from Snapdragon Strategy. Shira has a lot of experience in the corporate world and Silicon Valley. She's done a lot of really cool things, but she's ready for her next phase and wants to try something else. Is it coaching? Is it something else? She's got a few opportunities lined up, but she needs help focusing. She also wants to know how she can move in the direction of creating passive income, to give herself some time back and create balance in her life. Along those lines, Shira wants to know: is passive income even real today? Is it possible to easily create a passive income-driven business anymore? That's a really cool discussion we have, too. We also explore the importance of networking and keeping relationships alive throughout your journey. And on top of that, which is maybe the most important part of my conversation with Shira is, how do you leave a legacy, to your family and others? Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1185.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Kathy Walker of Year of Leading Dangerously Aug 26, 2021

#1184 Today we're talking with Kathy Walker, who was previously on the show in late 2019. She had won an award—the 2019 North Carolina assistant principal of the year award, and wanted to know she might use this award to get more assistant principals to find her show and build her audience. As you might recall, a lot has happened between late 2019 and now, particularly the COVID pandemic. As an assistant principal, obviously Kathy's line of work was dramatically affected, with the shift to virtual learning and supporting teachers and students through all the changes and challenges. Cool fact: Kathy was one of the regulars on the Income Stream, a 365-day straight live stream I did on YouTube. Kathy came in almost every day and was a big part of the community that built up around the show, and I got to know her and work really well. Today, we'll get a little insight on what life was like as an educator during COVID. And we'll also find out what happened to Kathy's brand and her podcast. I'm excited for you to hear this "Where are they now?" conversation. Let's dive into what's happening for Kathy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1184.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Build On a Lucrative Niche without Leaving My Audience Hanging? Aug 19, 2021

#1183 Today's guest, Kimberly Reynolds, aka Dr. Kimmy of Productive on Purpose, is at a crossroads. She's created a thriving community built around helping women with productivity and overcoming procrastination. At the same time, she's been niching down and coaching women on building businesses and walking in their purpose. The coaching is taking off—to the tune of $50,000 in revenue in just two months. But she's feeling torn in two directions, and knows she can't commit to both focuses. What should she do? Can she find a way to serve both of her audiences? Can she transition away from managing her community without leaving people hanging? She's going to have to start making some pro-level, CEO, executive-type decisions in her business, and Pat is here to help guide her. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1183.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Test and Launch My Course When I Have Zero Reach? Aug 12, 2021

#1182 William Barton from BootSpy.com has a really interesting question today. It's one you might have wrestled with in your own business: How do I launch something when I don't have a list or anybody out there who knows that I exist yet? How do I validate this thing? How do I ensure that it's going to work before I put all this time and effort into it? You may be familiar with a little book I wrote called Will It Fly?, which is all about how to test your next business idea so you don’t waste your time and money. We're going to discuss a lot of the principles, strategies, and techniques that I share in that book with William today. If you’re launching something, you want to build that audience and validate your idea first, so let's get into it. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1182.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Make Launching an Online Course Easier? Aug 05, 2021

#1181 Wendy Lewis used to work as a writer at a marketing and ad agency. And she's still a writer, but she also has a new passion: reflexology, working with athletes and helping people regain function. She's excited to create her first online reflexology course, but she's feeling stuck. The whole thing seems a little overwhelming to her. I want you to pay attention to how Wendy describes an online course before we start talking about the solutions to making the online course creation process easier for her. Because as you'll find out, things are often a lot easier than we think they should be. And there's a lot of things that I've learned over the years that I pass on to Wendy in this conversation, that I would love to pass on to you as well. So whether it's an online course or something else that you want to create, let's get through it, and let's get through it together. Show notes and more at smartpassiveincome.com/ap1181.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Julienne DesJardins from DesJardins Digital LLC Jul 29, 2021

#1180 In this special "Where are they now?" edition of AskPat, we're bringing back Julienne DesJardins from JulienneDesJardins.com (originally on AP 1027). She supports business owners through virtual assistant services, email service providers, Squarespace, and social media management. She was first on the show back in 2018, when she was having trouble because she'd met her client limit. She was looking at building out her team and creating an agency, and wanted to know where to take things. We talk about the advice I gave her, how she's taken that advice, and where her business has gone since then. There's a lot of great stuff in here, from nerding out on project management to how Julienne steered her business through the early days of the COVID pandemic. You'll hear all about the great stuff she's done and implemented in the past couple years, so you can hopefully learn how to do something similar in your own business! Show notes and more at smartpassiveincome.com/ap1180.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Niche Down and Better Serve My People? Jul 22, 2021

#1179 When you discover the niche you should be focusing on, it's like the clouds part—everything becomes clearer. But once you've chosen a niche, how do you communicate the change to your audience without alienating them? Today we're talking with Erica James from Erica James Travel, as well as the Erica James Travel Show Podcast. Erica is a travel agent who's having some issues with niching down. She knows what she's good at and the kinds of services she wants to provide for her travel agency clients, but she's afraid of going about things the wrong way. But thankfully, we go deep and find some possibilities to help Erica make this transition in a way that feels good to her and her customers. There's a moment in this episode where you'll hear things click for Erica, and boom, things are ready to take off. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1179.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Step Up and Become a Voice for the Community I Want to Lead? Jul 15, 2021

#1178 Today, we're talking with Heba from Mommy's Happy Hour. Through her book and podcast, she helps women balance a career with raising a family. She's a voice for mommies out there—and she wants to be more of a voice. She wants to lead this community even more. But she's struggling with something that many of us struggle with: how to brand and position herself. How should Heba put herself out there? We discuss some ideas to help her build her reach and presence, including podcast guesting and taking full advantage of the book she's written about the first year of motherhood. We also talk about the importance of macro patience combined with micro hustle. What's that mean? Listen to find out!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have Too Many Business Ideas—What Do I Do and Where Do I Start? Jul 08, 2021

#1177 If you're a creative person of some kind, you know what it's like to be in a flow state, so focused on the thing you're working on. That's how you create great art, right? Well, if you treat your business ideas in the same way, you can create something great there, too. Today I'm talking to Chris Fleck, a person of many talents: art, comedy, video production, and more. There's so much he loves to do, and is really good at, but he's a little bit stuck. He has too many business ideas. He's being pulled in multiple directions, and as a result he feels like he's going nowhere. You might be able to relate to Chris, faced with multiple options and not sure which one to pick. You might worry about what'll happen if you choose one path and leave the others behind. How do you make the right choice? That's what we're talking about today. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1177.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Monetize a Website That People Already Use and Enjoy? Jul 01, 2021

#1176 Today's guest has a popular website that helps people learn written Chinese, at WrittenChinese.com. She also has a big email list. But despite these resources, she's struggling to put it all together and make best use of what's she's got. She feels like she's "in a life raft in the middle of the ocean with a bag of gold bullion, but there's no land in sight." I help her hone her unique selling proposition, figure out how she can take advantage of ads, and dig into how she might use affiliate partnerships in a smart way. Nora's dilemma doesn't have obvious answers, but there's nothing wrong with a challenge! Together we find some starting points to experiment and see what resonates with her audience so she can effectively monetize her existing website. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1176.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Sarah Murphy from Alchelmilla Apothecary Jun 24, 2021

#1175 I rarely hear from an entrepreneur who has been through so much but is still smiling at the other end of things. Sarah Murphy, a medical herbalist, is one of those entrepreneurs! Like so many of us during the pandemic, Sarah has had to make a series of pivots with her business. Since she was last on the show in episode 1120, she's dealt with the ripple effect of the pandemic, decreased traffic on her website, Brexit (she's in the UK) . . . even a fire in her manufacturer's warehouse. Yes, really! But Sarah has come out on the other side with flying colors — she even made the decision to launch an online course in the midst of things. Today we're gonna sit down with Sarah and hear all about it. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1175

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have So Many Options to Grow My Business — Which One(s) Do I Choose to Focus On? Jun 17, 2021

#1174 Hel Reynolds lives in Wales, where she runs a business called Comms Creatives that trains corporate communication professionals to use social media. She's experienced a lot of success already but she's a bit confused as to what to prioritize as she grows her business. This has been a challenge for me personally as a number three on the Enneagram test, so this advice definitely comes from experience. I take Hel through my tips and strategies for prioritizing while still getting to play, particularly my 80/20 rule, avoiding content bloat, and focusing on learning.

If you're looking to gain a little more clarity and focus in your business, this is the one for you. I can't wait to follow up with Hel down the road and see where she's at! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1174

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Offer Something for Free, but How Do I Make More Money? Jun 10, 2021

#1173 Chris Roy runs an amazing company called Doobert.com. Doobert is a technological solution that connects rescue organizations with transportation for rescued animals, foster homes, and more. The only issue is that Doobert needs to bring in more funds to keep running effectively and grow. Chris has tried Google ads and selling physical products, but they haven't quite panned out. How can he increase Doobert's income? We brainstorm a few methods for pulling in some much-needed cash — partnership opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, donation appeals, and more strategies. I can't wait to see how Chris incorporates these ideas! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1173

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Expand and Monetize My New Podcast and Brand? Jun 03, 2021

#1172 This coaching session digs down to one of the core questions of entrepreneurship: How do we combine our passion with monetization . . . and keep it authentic? Jason Lazarus is about to go all-in with his new podcast, The British Blacktrepreneur. He has ten episodes in the cue with a long-term goal of monetizing the show and earning six figures through his business. Where does he start? If you're looking to monetize your podcast, this is the one for you. We go over several ways Jason can use his podcast to earn income, some mindsets and strategies around the process, and how the podcast can help complement other areas of his business. Let's get started. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1172

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Pam Farley from Brown Thumb Mama May 27, 2021

#1171 Pam Farley has come a long way since she was featured back in episode 1049 (in 2019!). Back then she found that her new content offering wasn't aligned well with what her audience truly wanted. Well, since then she's used email funnels and an experiment with three lead magnets to figure out what her audience really wants—she was surprised by the results! Now, she has some projects in the works around ebooks, courses . . . in fact, she had her best year ever in Q2! Today we dive into some ideas around product deals, where Pam is heading next, her content calendar and publishing cadence, how Covid affected her business, and more. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1171

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Online Business STALLED - How Do I Rebound and Get Growing Again? May 20, 2021

#1170 Neil Benson runs a business called Customery: he's on a mission to help people learn the Scrum methodology of project management. He has a podcast and regular course sales, but the numbers have been about the same for the last 12 months. In short, the business has stalled a bit. Today I'm going to coach Neil through all things optimization. We'll talk through strategies for using his podcast to hint at the value his course can offer, creating bonus offers, and injecting scarcity to increase students and revenue. By the end of the show, you'll learn a ton about optimizing sales conversion points. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1170

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Take My Unique Talents to a Larger Audience and Monetize? May 13, 2021

#1169 Joey Chang is a beatboxer, looper, cellist, songwriter, singer, and performer. He's here with a critical question: what's the difference between himself and musicians who are making a ton of money online? How can he better monetize his online music business? We're going to dig in to identify Joey's niche and how to leverage it. I give him advice for taking advantage of current events and trends through "news-jacking" and using YouTube algorithms to bring his music front and center. We also get into courses a bit and I give him some tactical advice for working with a cohort of students to road-test his course. Whether you're a musician or not, there's a ton of great advice in here for anyone who wants to create engaging content or make money teaching their skills online. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1169

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I (and SHOULD I) Go All in with What I've Started? May 06, 2021

#1168 Martin's podcast is now making up 50 percent of his take-home money — the other 50 percent comes from his work as a paramedic. How can Martin take that next leap of faith towards going full-time with his business and podcast, Calming Anxiety? How can he further his brand, and should that include putting his name in the actual podcast name? I challenge Martin to find out what's holding him back and what his plan would be in a few different scenarios, plus offer him some tips for extending his show's reach through YouTube. Martin says he's got a few exciting things in the pipeline, including a brand-new app, so I can't wait to follow up with him again in the future! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1168

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Kara Gott Warner from Kara Gott Warner Coaching Apr 29, 2021

#1167 Today's guest is Kara Gott Warner — she was last on in episode 1087 where she had some questions about getting more engagement for her website and her podcast.

Well, a lot has happened in Kara's business since then: a life coaching certification, rebranding her podcast, making a shift in her coaching program and business offerings — she's here today to tell us all about it. We also talk about those new offerings and a lot related to mindset as well. This is a great catch-up with Kara so stick around! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1167

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Build My Team, Expand My Brand, and Connect with More People? Apr 22, 2021

#1166 This is a one-of-a-kind episode of AskPat 2.0. For one thing, I'm interviewing a professional chocolate-maker. Yes really — her name is Arcelia Gallardo and she has a chocolate factory in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Not only does Arcelia have a unique business, but she also has a unique problem: how does she decide what content is written in English, Portuguese, or another language? Her customers are all over the world, so how can she make the ordering process seamless, no matter where someone's ordering from? Arcelia and I are going to brainstorm some solutions, so make sure you stick around. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1166

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Nail My Messaging and Positioning to Get More Clients and Make More Money? Apr 15, 2021

#1165 Today I'm thrilled to welcome Mark Savant to the show. Mark helps businesses and entrepreneurs create and repurpose digital content and grow their online presence. He wants to grow his revenue streams and convert all the DMs he's getting into agency-style clients, but he feels his messaging might be off.

To help Mark out, we're going to unpack his current messaging so we can nail it going forward. We also talk about reconfiguring his offerings to be able to serve customers at different price points and through different mediums (like an online course). Through this conversation, you'll learn a ton about messaging that you can apply back to your own journey. Let's do this thing! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1165

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Working SO Many Hours to Run My Business, What Should I Do? Apr 08, 2021

#1164 Peter's business is in the Australian healthcare tech niche — he's got a membership community and a podcast that publishes four times weekly. He also recently decided to go full-time with the venture . . . he's working so many hours and he's starting to burn out a little bit. Let's see if we can help him get closer to equilibrium.

Using my own experience and strategies with time management, I encourage Peter to create more discipline in his time blocking so that gaps in working time aren't always immediately filled with more working projects. We talk through a few mindset shifts I had to go through myself so that Peter can hopefully start approaching his work and life more holistically. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1164

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Launch My Flagship Course and Earn More Doing Less Work? Apr 01, 2021

#1163 Derek James has a unique business that helps business owners win government contracts, which can be a huge win if done correctly. He has created a ton of resources on this topic, but cashflow isn't quite where he wants it to be. Now he's working hard on his flagship course and he wants it to be a big hit. How can he tip the odds in his favor? Don't miss this one, because you'll hear me coach Derek through strategies for his course launch, from marketing and messaging to price points and more. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1163

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Lesya Holzapfel from Eat. Be Fit. Explore. Mar 25, 2021

#1162 Today we have Lesya Holzapfel from EatBeFitExplore.com — she was last on in episode 1088. In this episode you'll hear about Lesya's hybrid membership/course model, what's working for her, her foray into podcasting, where she's going next, and what advice she'd give herself, looking back at where she was in episode 1088. This is a super-inspiring episode with a fantastic mic drop moment from Lesya at the end. Don't miss it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1162

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Do I Leave My Full-Time Job to Go All-in on My Business? How Do I Know? Mar 18, 2021

#1161 Taking the "big leap" and deciding to go all-in with your business or side hustle can be nerve-wracking. When's the right time to jump? How can you be sure you're set up for success, especially if, like today's guest, you have a little one on the way? Well, that's exactly what Matthew Gawronski, a music teacher from Long Island, New York, is asking today. Although we don't land on a definitive gameplan, there's a ton of food for thought in this one, both for Matt and anyone at a similar crossroads. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1161

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Take My Offline Business Online and Manage My Time and My Team Too? Mar 11, 2021

#1160 Today's guest is Colm McCarthy, calling in all the way from Limerick, Ireland! Colm is in a unique position as the owner of the golf course management business he once worked for, as well as his landscaping company. He wants to take both to the next level and also develop an online business and a college specific to greenkeepers. How can he manage his time and team and also take his offline business online? Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1160

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do I Effectively Coach and Monetize My Brand & Run a Virtual Event? Mar 04, 2021

#1159 Today we have physical therapist Aaron LeBauer on the show with a couple of critical questions. For one, how can he get more time back by delegating or reevaluating some of his revenue-generating responsibilities? How can he further monetize his brand? And what about virtual events — how can he make sure his are a success? There's a lot to talk about today with some hard-hitting takeaways, so let's dig in! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1159

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Leili Farzaneh from Supakit Feb 25, 2021

#1158 We last chatted with Leila in Episode 1069, where I coached her on scaling up and expanding her business, Supakit, which creates cat harnesses and collars. She's back today to recap her big takeaways, tell us how it went, and detail what she's learned about building relationships online and staying authentic as a niche brand. There's a lot to learn from today, so let's get going! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1158

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create Social Media Content While Working on My Craft? Feb 18, 2021

#1157 We have Genevieve Leavold on the show today; she's an abstract artist from the UK and Serbia. She's trying to balance creative time and promotional marketing time. How can she paint and create good content without sacrificing the quality of either? We run through a few ideas based on what I know other artists are doing online, strategize about ways Genevieve can convert one piece of artistic work into a whole week's worth of content, and chat about how she can use platforms like Instagram and Youtube to engage more with her audience. Whether you're a visual artist yourself or not, there are lots of solid takeaways here for everyone. Let's do it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1157

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create a Podcast with a Friend as a Co-Host (But Make Sure it Works)? Feb 11, 2021

#1156 Marjie Kemper is a mixed media artist with an excellent question about podcasting: how do you successfully co-host with someone who has different products and offerings? There's a lot to think about. Who owns the email list? How do you share expenses? How should they approach call to actions within each episode, and how do they set expectations up front? Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1156

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create My Own Offers and Diversify My Income Streams? Feb 04, 2021

#1155 Shannon Kennedy runs a site called Eurolinguiste.com, a business she's managed for about eight years that helps people learn new languages. Now that some of her partners are moving on, how can she replace some of that top-earning content, create successful launches, and diversify her income streams? Shannon has three great ideas, so we spend the first part of the call laying out her "order of operations," so to speak. What's her first step? Next, we dive into some tactics around launch strategies, which Shannon describes as her biggest struggle. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1155

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to AskPat! Feb 02, 2021

AskPat 2.0 is a weekly coaching call where I go deep with an entrepreneur on a one-on-one coaching call. You’re literally a fly on a wall and you get to soak up as much of the strategies, the tactics, the mindsets, and the how-tos as they do. So whether you’re new to online business or just dipping a toe in the water, every episode of AskPat has some amazing takeaways that you can apply directly to your life and business. And if you want to apply to get coached on AskPat 2.0, all you have to do is visit AskPat.com. Join me, Pat Flynn, every Thursday. Hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss a beat!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Luis Ryan Diaz from Podcast Domination Jan 28, 2021

#1154 Today we're bringing Luis Ryan Diaz back on the show — he was last on episode 1033: "My Profits Are Being Eaten! How Do I Scale but Stay Profitable?" That was in 2018 and a lot has changed with his podcast agency since then. How has our last coaching session paid off? There's a lot to take away from this quick update, so let's get going! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1154

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Best Describe and Position My Business and Work to Others? What Do I Say? Jan 21, 2021

#1153 Jay is at a critical point in his career — he just got laid off in May due to COVID and he's going all-in with his online business. But now that Jay's out of the W2 workforce, he's having trouble finding his lane with his messaging. Getting this aspect of your online business right is absolutely critical, so today I'm going to coach Jay through finding his groove, including examples of how I think about positioning and branding in my own business. Jay asks: How do you fine-tune your messaging? How do you know when you've nailed it? We're going to dig into all of that and more on today's coaching call, so let's get going! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1153

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My List and Grow My Business? I Have All the Pieces, but It's Not Clicking? Jan 14, 2021

#1152 Kathy Robinson used to work in risk management; now she's helping mid-life women stay well through the company she founded, Athena Wellness. Things are going well for Kathy but despite all her efforts things just aren't clicking in terms of email list subscribers. How can she grow her email list? And — when she launches her podcast in January 2021, how can she drive listeners to her email list? Whether you're new to online business or not, email lists are a key ingredient, so listen up! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1152

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pandemic Hurt Our Business - What Do We Do? Jan 07, 2021

#1151 Jim and his wife Mai teach others Spanish. =This year — 2020 — was supposed to be a six-figure year . . . but Jim and Mai haven't come even close (for obvious reasons). So how can they increase the reach of their online offerings, namely their membership site? And how do they stay consistent with YouTube and content production? How do they pivot after 2020? After our chat, I'm sure that Jim is going to be set up for success and ready to crush it in 2021! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1151

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Stacy Brookman from Real Life Resilience Dec 31, 2020

#1150 Last time Stacy Brookman was with us — back in episode 1006 — she was trying to figure out what to do next: public speaking or book-writing?

Well, it turns out Stacy took my advice and started speaking . . . and she got a book deal with a hybrid publisher! How did she make it all happen?

In this episode, you'll learn how Stacy landed her first gigs, grew her email list, launched her first online speaking summit, and signed a hybrid book publishing deal. This is one of the most fun Where Are They Now?s I've done. Let's get started! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1050

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Michelle Onyango from Stride Wellness Dec 24, 2020

Michelle Onyango was last on the show in episode 1037. It's funny, because the biggest takeaway for Michelle wasn't actually the big "aha" she had from that chat at all. It's always interesting to see what happens after an important coaching call. Michelle sat down and did some brainstorming, and that simple exercise gave her some amazing clarity on what her next step should be. And it turns out that step positioned her perfectly in her space once COVID hit. Michelle takes us through it all and dives into her next-step strategies. We go over her business offerings, whether she should make a price increase, and the struggles her business is having due to COVID, and Michelle gives her advice for entrepreneurs who find themselves at a similar crossroads. Click play and let's catch up with Michelle! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1149

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Emory Wanger from By Land Dec 17, 2020

A lot has happened to Emory since our last call, the obvious update being that he's a father of two! Emory's going to update us on all the things today: how he's adjusted his business in light of fatherhood, how his mindset has changed, and what it was like launching his first online course. I offer him some pointers on relaunching that course and also help him break down some of the hangups he's had about selling based on my own experience. There's a lot of great takeaways in this one. Let's catch up with Emory! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1148

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Jackie Bolen from ESLSpeaking.org Dec 10, 2020

Today I'm so happy to welcome Jackie Bolen back on the show! You can find her at ESLSpeaking.org. She was previously on AskPat 2.0 in episodes 1003 and 1046 — definitely would encourage you to go back to those episodes so you can see how far she's come. And that's kind of the theme for the next twenty minutes today. Jackie's going to take us through some of the new developments in her business. You'll learn the strategies she uses for SEO research, scoping out competitor sites, funneling users from free content to her books, and then optimizing her Amazon book listings to maximize conversions. We also talk about the importance of diversifying in your business without becoming overwhelmed. Lots of great stuff in this one — let's go! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/AP1147

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Jane Hamill from JaneHamill.com Dec 03, 2020

A lot has changed since Jane Hamill was on the show back in episode 1036. Things got tight for her recently because of COVID and having two kids at home (I'm sure many of us can relate). The good news? The pandemic forced her to completely reposition herself. They say you can't read the label when you're inside the bottle, and I think Jane's story is a testament to that metaphor!

By combining two of her offerings, Jane managed to really niche down. Today she tells us how she's further differentiating her offerings based on what makes her unique, creating a mindset of abundance. It sounds like she's doing all the right things, and I can't wait to check in with her again in the future. There are so many valuable takeaways in this episode—let's get started! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1146

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now: Danielle West from Intentional Marriages Nov 26, 2020

Danielle is a marriage counselor over at IntentionalMarriages.net. In her last appearance on AskPat (episode 1086), I encouraged her to take her business to more virtual settings. What were the results, and how is Danielle adapting her business to continue to help people, even mid-pandemic? Where is she headed next? We're getting into all of that today in this great follow-up—this will be the first in a couple of "Where Are They Now?" episodes I'm doing here at the end of the year. Let's go! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1145

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before and After with Fritz Westover and his Virtual Academy Membership Program Nov 19, 2020

Fritz Westover is back on the show today to talk about the virtual membership program for his site, VirtualViticultureAcademy.com. (Viticulture is the craft and science of growing and harvesting grapes.)

Fritz starts off recapping what happened since our last (unaired) conversation: how he was able to take my suggestion of a free trial and create a hybrid approach, plus some of the strategies he's using to build a strong and thriving community. Looking forward, Fritz has some important questions. How can he increase members for his premium-tier subscription? What considerations should he be making for potentially expanding his business internationally? We'll get into all of that today, so hit play!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Sell More without Using Fear and Scaring My Prospects into Buying? Nov 12, 2020

Andrea Davis has a really important business called BetterScreenTime.com, which helps parents manage screen time for their children. She also has some online courses, How can she sell strong but not over aggressively? We're going to dissect that and more today, so let's get started! Read the show notes at http://smartpassiveincome.com/ap1143

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Position and Brand Myself in the Space That I'm In? Nov 05, 2020

On today's AskPat 2.0 coaching call, I'm talking with Lela Burris from LelaBurris.com. She is a professional home organizer who until recently has been helping people out in their homes. Her blog has been getting quite a bit of traction and she's got some concerns about making the pivot from her IRL persona to the one on her blog. When she shifts to being all virtual, will everyone accept who she really is? Do these two different brands clash with one another? We chat about how she can make this work out just fine and identify next steps for growth. Whether she decides to pursue a course or something else, she's got her beta customers all lined up! Read the show notes here: http://smartpassiveincome.com/AP1142

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Organize My Multiple Brands and Projects So They Make Sense? Oct 29, 2020

Today on AskPat 2.0, I have a great call with David, from TDWellness.com and OneSmallBite.net. He's a registered dietitian, nutritionist, and certified exercise psychologist with a couple things going on, and he needs help creating some order. We talk about his issues around branding and organization, which are relevant to lots of entrepreneurs in the early stages. David's also got some shiny-object syndrome, another common ailment among entrepreneurs. We talk about how I allow myself a little time to pursue those shiny things—but not so much that I end up having to say no to things I've already said yes to! It's a great convo about things a lot of entrepreneurs deal with, so check it out.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Side Business Needs More Exposure and Growth. What Do I Do? Oct 22, 2020

Tom Dimitroff and Matt Kelley are teachers by day, entrepreneurs by night, and coaches all the time. Their idea for a website that helps coaches and athletes keep track of their stats (and a whole lot more than that) came about organically out of a need they had as baseball coaches. They've got a great start, but have a bunch of questions about exposure and growth. They are at the bottom of the first inning, so to speak, and have the whole game still ahead of them. What is the best way for them to connect with their existing customers? When is the right time to expand out of their region? How much should they charge and what pricing model is best for what they're doing? Should the athletes pay, or should the coaches pay? What about building an app for it?

We discuss communities, webinars, and a lot more on this week's AskPat 2.0 coaching call. It's on deck right here. Batter up!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Starting a New Business from Scratch. How Do I Make Sure it Succeeds? Oct 15, 2020

Today I'm speaking with Becca, an entrepreneur who's exiting a retail business successfully and has great plans to start something new—something her town has never seen. It's a great idea for marketing, supporting local businesses, and building community. And it's completely fun. We talk about this new business and brainstorm together. Becca gets excited about how excited I get about some of the ideas we come up with. She still has some things to iron out, like exactly what kind of business model to use, and we generate some ideas for that, too. Soon, you'll be able to check out her business at goodiebike.com. Right now, she's still waiting for the first, most crucial piece of her idea to arrive in a shipment that's been delayed because of COVID-19. But she hasn't let that slow her down—she's ready to take it on the road.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Grow My Audience Because I'm a Kid and People May Not Trust Me? Oct 08, 2020

This week's guest is way too young to get my Doogie Howser, M.D. reference. But he's not too young to know his way around camera equipment. He's been part of the #quaranteam on The Income Stream, my morning YouTube show, and, I reviewed his YouTube channel, Anything Cameras, where Noah and his partner post videos that help people improve their filming and photography. The channel is growing, but Noah's just sixteen, and he wonders whether his audience will think he's too young to know anything. How can he improve his videos and get to the quick wins sooner? Can he launch a course without having a huge following? What about teaming up with another fledgling YouTuber in his niche? We get some creative ideas flowing for him.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Do Less One-on-One and Get More Customers? Oct 01, 2020

Joaquin Elizondo has an awesome niche. He's a Hollywood editor for film and TV, and it took him fifteen years of hard work in small markets to get there. He's built up a brand to help other film editors break into Hollywood. He's been coaching a bunch of folks one-on-one, but he wants to do less one-on-one and get more customers. Not everyone wants one-on-one coaching, and not everyone has the money to pay for it. Another dilemma is that he will soon (hopefully!) be going back to his full-time editing job, which he loves. How is he going to continue to coach others once he gets back to work?

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a Solopreneur, How Do I Hire Help (Especially During Times of COVID)? Sep 24, 2020

Maddie Kertay is the BadAss Quilter, who says that she's "always going to stand on the side of love, diversity, and blazing a path for more people to become fabric artists." On this AskPat 2.0 episode, Maddie and Pat chat about everything she's doing to spread her message and grow her community (The BadAss Quilters Society), and the many directions she could go next: growing the private community, a podcast, sponsorship, affiliate marketing, merchandise . . . When would be the best time to reopen her community to new members—before or after she launches her podcast? Should she hire a virtual assistant (VA)? What things could she, as the CEO (and self-proclaimed micromanager) trust a VA with? (Note: This episode contains mentions of the "A" word, in case little kids are around.)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I (and Should I) Diversify My Traffic to My Brand? Sep 17, 2020

On this episode of AskPat, I'm talking to an entrepreneur just like you. RJ Weiss is the founder and editor of The Ways To Wealth, a Certified Financial Planner, husband, and father of three. He wants to know what next step he should take to bring more people to his websites and diversify where his traffic comes from. I want to know what he's doing to keep people there. After all, you can double the amount of traffic to your brand, but if you're not optimizing conversions, what's the point? This feels like a really productive conversation, and by the end we do get to what his next steps might be. Podcast or YouTube? He can do it right and bring his existing audience right over with him. Check it out.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I've Tried Everything, But Have No Real Growth. What Do I Do? Sep 10, 2020

On this week's AskPat coaching call, I talk with Jason McCarthy, founder of a site called DigiNo.org. He gets 80,000 visitors a month, but it doesn't translate into revenue. Why is this? Where is this traffic coming from? What do these visitors want, and where is the disconnect that's preventing them from spending money? We work through a lot of questions, and Jason's already done a ton of the right things: advertising, investors, an email list, videos... but his income is unreliable. This one is a toughie, but stick around to see what we come up with together.

If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!

My team uses Gusto. It has made life so much easier. They make payroll, taxes, and HR actually easy for small businesses. And honestly, I couldn't live without it—truly. Fast, simple payroll processing, benefits, simple management tools, all in one place. They automatically pay and file your federal, state, and local taxes, so you don't have to worry about it. Plus, they make it easy—once you start adding employees or even just for yourself—to add on health benefits and even 401(k)s for your team. Get three months of Gusto free when you run your first payroll. Check it out: gusto.com/askpat.

Buy my new book, Superfans!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Monetize My Business After Paying for Everything Myself So Far? Sep 03, 2020

Scott Robertson has been paying out of his pocket to keep his site, InsaneScouter.org, alive. He and others have compiled this vault of Boy Scout resources, and he's set up a Patreon-style site called Knapsack so people can financially support his efforts. In this coaching call we spend some time on his selling proposition so he can monetize his business after self-paying for everything so far.

It's a common challenge for entrepreneurs: figuring out how to communicate to customers what will they ultimately gain by getting access to what we're offering. An effective selling proposition is one that incorporates the words "so that." Scott and I chat about how to do this for his business, as well as other places Scott could take his crowdsourcing/membership platform.

If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!

My team uses Gusto. It has made life so much easier. They make payroll, taxes, and HR actually easy for small businesses. And honestly, I couldn't live without it—truly. Fast, simple payroll processing, benefits, simple management tools, all in one place. They automatically pay and file your federal, state, and local taxes, so you don't have to worry about it. Plus, they make it easy—once you start adding employees or even just for yourself—to add on health benefits and even 401(k)s for your team. Get three months of Gusto free when you run your first payroll. Check it out: gusto.com/askpat.

Buy my new book, Superfans!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Niche Down and Build a Successful Business Out of My Brand? Aug 20, 2020

Rick McEvoy is a photographer with a really interesting dilemma. How can he niche down and focus on the business aspect of his specialty within the photography space? During this AskPat coaching call, we work to recalibrate Rick's goals and pivot just a bit into an area where he is more likely to be able to reach his financial aspirations. He just needs to grab onto one opportunity and make it happen. If you're somebody who's just starting out, or even if you've been doing this for a while, this will be a great episode for you.

If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!

My team uses Gusto. It has made life so much easier. They make payroll, taxes, and HR actually easy for small businesses. And honestly, I couldn't live without it—truly. Fast, simple payroll processing, benefits, simple management tools, all in one place. They automatically pay and file your federal, state, and local taxes, so you don't have to worry about it. Plus, they make it easy—once you start adding employees or even just for yourself—to add on health benefits and even 401(k)s for your team. Get three months of Gusto free when you run your first payroll. Check it out: gusto.com/askpat.

Buy my new book, Superfans!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Transition My Offline Business Online, Brand-Wise? Aug 13, 2020

LeAnne Lagasse and her business partner founded ROI Talent Development, a successful business in Texas, and they want to take it online. But online, they recognize it's a lot harder to connect with a corporate brand, versus a human, individual personality, like Rick Mulready or Amy Porterfield. We discuss how to keep the brand we have but show up in a different way so we can attract more people. Take, for instance, how Smart Passive Income became synonymous with Pat Flynn. How do we make a seamless transition to serving customers online?If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!My team uses Gusto. It has made life so much easier. They make payroll, taxes, and HR actually easy for small businesses. And honestly, I couldn't live without it—truly. Fast, simple payroll processing, benefits, simple management tools, all in one place. They automatically pay and file your federal, state, and local taxes, so you don't have to worry about it. Plus, they make it easy—once you start adding employees or even just for yourself—to add on health benefits and even 401(k)s for your team. Get three months of Gusto free when you run your first payroll. Check it out: gusto.com/askpat.Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Share My Story and Get More People to Find My Message? Aug 06, 2020

My guests on today's coaching call are a couple who have done something incredible. Their son, Tim, was diagnosed with autism at age two, and with severe speech and language and communication disorder at four. But his mom, Sally Wagter, never gave up on her child. Tim just turned 18, and he's amazing. And Sally and Erik Wagter, experienced entrepreneurs, have just launched a website called Releasing My Child's Potential and published a book titled Miracle in Slow Motion to support families with autistic children. But how do they get their message out to the people who need to hear it? We talk about opportunities for PR, and ways to get attention for a book that's already available for sale.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!My team uses Gusto. It has made life so much easier. They make payroll, taxes, and HR actually easy for small businesses. And honestly, I couldn't live without it—truly. Fast, simple payroll processing, benefits, simple management tools, all in one place. They automatically pay and file your federal, state, and local taxes, so you don't have to worry about it. Plus, they make it easy—once you start adding employees or even just for yourself—to add on health benefits and even 401(k)s for your team. Get three months of Gusto free when you run your first payroll. Check it out: gusto.com/askpat.Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Target Audience Are Not My Buyers. What Do I Do? Jul 30, 2020

The entrepreneur on today's coaching call, Tola Ogunlewe, is a a sports performance coach and lawyer who helps young athletes break through their mental and physical limitations and navigate their career growth with his business, Athlete Maestro. His issue centers around how to talk to his buyers—these young athletes' parents. If I were a 16-year-old athlete, I'd definitely need to go to my parents and convince them Tola's services were something worth paying for. What can you do if your target audience is not your buyers?If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!My team uses Gusto. It has made life so much easier. They make payroll, taxes, and HR actually easy for small businesses. And honestly, I couldn't live without it—truly. Fast, simple payroll processing, benefits, simple management tools, all in one place. They automatically pay and file your federal, state, and local taxes, so you don't have to worry about it. Plus, they make it easy—once you start adding employees or even just for yourself—to add on health benefits and even 401(k)s for your team. Get three months of Gusto free when you run your first payroll. Check it out: gusto.com/askpat.Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Promote Without Being Tone Deaf During Turbulent Times? Jul 23, 2020

Dr. Joi Lewis is the founder of Joi Unlimited Coaching and Consulting. She's a facilitator of liberation through social justice, healing justice, and radical self care. She also can be found at HealingJusticeFoundation.org. I'm so thankful to bring her on the show to amplify her voice and what she's doing. But secondly, I want to help her out because there's some messaging that we need to pay attention to. How do we promote our stuff when there are so many other important things to talk about—stuff that's probably more important than the thing we're selling?If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!My team uses Gusto. It has made life so much easier. They make payroll, taxes, and HR actually easy for small businesses. And honestly, I couldn't live without it—truly. Fast, simple payroll processing, benefits, simple management tools, all in one place. They automatically pay and file your federal, state, and local taxes, so you don't have to worry about it. Plus, they make it easy—once you start adding employees or even just for yourself—to add on health benefits and even 401(k)s for your team. Get three months of Gusto free when you run your first payroll. Check it out: gusto.com/askpat.Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Use My Podcast to Sell More of My Products? Jul 16, 2020

In this AskPat 2.0 coaching call, I talk to Amanda from Amanda Write Now, a business that helps teachers. She's been doing okay, but she needs to bring in some more income, especially in light of the downturn. She has a great podcast called The Workshop Teacher Podcast, which she wants to leverage to sell more of her products. If you want to understand how to use your assets to better help people, and especially if you have a podcast, how to use your podcast to actually sell more of your stuff—without being sleazy—this is the episode for you.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!If you have a business, or you know someone who does, you probably know that small business owners wear a lot of hats—we definitely do. Some of those hats are awesome, but some—like filing for taxes and running payroll, for example—aren't as great. That's where Gusto comes in. They make payroll, taxes, and HR easy for small businesses. My team uses it, and we can't live without it. You can get three months free when you run your first payroll. See for yourself at gusto.com/askpat.Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Business Topic is Not Normal. How Do I Grow and Become the Authority? Jul 09, 2020

One day a few years back, tennis player Sandy Farquharson was tapped on the shoulder to step in for a padel player who had dropped out of a tournament. Sandy had never played padel, and like the vast majority of people in the English-speaking world, didn't even know the sport existed. Turns out, he was kind of a natural. So now he runs the only English coaching program for padel. He's got a website. He's on YouTube. He also has courses, a podcast, an Instagram page, and a bunch of questions about the best way to grow. We chat about coaching, Teachable, lessons from Will it Fly?, and Betsy McNally, from AP 1117. Learn something new every day.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!If you have a business, or you know someone who does, you probably know that small business owners wear a lot of hats—we definitely do. Some of those hats are awesome, but some—like filing for taxes and running payroll, for example—aren't as great. That's where Gusto comes in. They make payroll, taxes, and HR easy for small businesses. My team uses it, and we can't live without it. You can get three months free when you run your first payroll. See for yourself at gusto.com/askpat.Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Feel Like I Have to Start Over. What Do I Do? Jul 02, 2020

Chapin Kreuter seems really cool. But what happened to him was not cool at all. He’s a traveler, a surfer, and an expat, and he’s got a podcast called Misfits and Rejects for people who hate their nine-to-five, and dream of living far away. He comes into this coaching call, as he says, to “throw [him]self at the mercy of the podcasting court and say, ’Help me please, help me be a better podcaster.’” And it really comes to whether we're going to let a setback mean we start again from scratch or, rather, use it as a pivot point. Hopefully what happened to Chapin doesn't happen to you, but if it does, you'll be better equipped because of listening to this show.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!If you have a business, or you know someone who does, you probably know that small business owners wear a lot of hats—we definitely do. Some of those hats are awesome, but some—like filing for taxes and running payroll, for example—aren't as great. That's where Gusto comes in. They make payroll, taxes, and HR easy for small businesses. My team uses it, and we can't live without it. You can get three months free when you run your first payroll. See for yourself at gusto.com/askpat.Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Monetize My Brand Now That I Have a Bit of a Following? Jun 25, 2020

I'm all about Disney. My family and I love it, including the food at Disney parks, so I'm especially excited to share today's AskPat coaching call with Kristi Rada, talks about and connects people to the amazing food and the different dining options at all the Disney parks with her podcast, Happiest Plate on Earth. (Here's her website, Instagram, and Facebook). We don't just talk Disney food. We talk about how to take this amazing brand of hers and begin to monetize it, but do it in a graceful way that offers value and creates a win on both sides.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get More Clients and Stand Out In The Crowded Niche I'm In? Jun 18, 2020

Kelyn Block has built a part-time basketball coaching business through word of mouth, and he wants to parlay it into a full-time gig. He's got a clear shot at the basket and just has to start dribbling down the court. I help him navigate and discover where he can go with his special skill—because obviously, he's not the only one to teach basketball. This is a very tactical conversation in which I try to get Kelyn comfortable talking a little bit more about himself. He does a great job answering the questions, and we get to some really exciting conclusions. By the end, you'll be on the sidelines cheering Kelyn down the court. Swish!If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So Many Options, So Little Time. What Do I Focus On? Jun 11, 2020

In this AskPat coaching call, I help Natasha Watley, a two-time softball Olympian who who just can't do anything halfway. Natasha is an expert in something called slap hitting and coaches girls how to do this via her online course. But she also does so much more. Her passion is creating opportunities for girls and inspiring them, and she also loves speaking to a wider audience. How can she do both things 100 percent of the time and still have time for herself? With so many options, so little time, and so much drive to do it all really well, how can we choose what to focus on?If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Started a New Brand, and Now I'm Overwhelmed. What Do I Do? May 28, 2020

On today's coaching call, I'm talking with Jill Gilbert, an entrepreneur who has been producing a big event around digital and medical tech and recently launched a brand of her own focused on women's health called WickedAwesomeYou.com. She's got an ebook called Wicked Wellness, and she wants to do everything: videos, podcast, blog, a community site . . . This is all new territory for her, so she's looking to just talk it out—does she do this or this? How does she make sure her audience is getting what they need? We talk about finding the best way to create the transformation her audience wants to see.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow and Sell More Product Without Overwhelming Myself (and Compromising Quality)? May 21, 2020

In this episode of AskPat 2.0, I talk to Sarah Murphy of Alchemilla, who's trying to grow a business and sell more product without overwhelming herself. She's come up with some amazing recipes that help people get out of pain, and she's been getting traction with one of her products, sausage tree cream. (It's a real thing!) She also accepted an invitation to do a speaking engagement, and then—bam!— her one-woman production making cream in her kitchen was suddenly overwhelmed. More time in front of her computer. Less time foraging in nature. She wants to help as many people as possible, but what kind of growth fits with Sarah's vision?If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Sales Are Slow. How Can I Ramp Them Up? May 14, 2020

In this episode of AskPat 2.0, I help Megan, a percussionist/professor/brand strategy coach for musicians, come up with ways to generate more income and help more people. She's got an e-book, she's got courses, and she's got coaching, but her email list isn't doing anything to drum up business. (See what I did there?) I give her ideas on using discovery calls and her podcast to drive growth, as well as how to use pricing and combining to grow her sales.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen, too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Buy my new book, Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's My Target Audience, and How Can I Break Into That Industry? May 07, 2020

In this episode of AskPat 2.0, I talk with Dani from commonsenseanalytics.net. She has a specialty—a superpower, if you will—related to analytics: how to read them and use them to grow your business. She initially wanted to target small mom-and-pop shops because they obviously need some help, but it's made more sense to target larger companies with more money to spend. I help her figure out how she can break into this segment.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly visual and super-intuitive. You can get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “AskPat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Worried About the Longevity of My Brand. What Should I Do? Apr 30, 2020

In this episode of AskPat 2.0, I talk with Betsy McNally Laouar, of betsymcnally.com. She's worried about what's going to happen to her brand when/if she can't be there in the future. Can she still control the brand and the quality of the content and continue serving her audience?If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “AskPat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Increase Engagement Through Email Marketing? Apr 23, 2020

In this episode of AskPat 2.0, I speak with Jake Lang, a serial entrepreneur who had a very similar start to mine: helping people pass some exams. He's building his brand over at theentrepreneurridealong.com and is here to talk about email marketing and making more personal connections with the people in his audience.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “AskPat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AM 0003: How Are Information Product Sales Affected During an Economic Downturn, and What Adjustments Should I Make? Apr 20, 2020

In this episode, I once again turn over the show to my business partner, Matt Gartland, who answers a question from Jay, who is in the health and fitness industry. Jay wants to know how the COVID-19 quarantine is going to affect his sales. How is this crisis going to affect consumers' incentive to buy, and how are consumer habits changing? Matt discusses how the health and fitness industry may be in a unique position to offer online services for people who are looking for new ways to exercise and eat nutritious meals while they are quarantined at home, and how Jay may be able to lean into that opportunity. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AM 0002: Which Business Finance Stats Are the Most Fundamental to Track During Times of Uncertainty? Apr 17, 2020

In this episode, I once again turn over the show to my business partner, friend, and CFO/COO of SPI Media to Matt Gartland. He answers a question from Brent, who has his own counseling business, what financial stats he should be monitoring during this time of the COVID-19 crisis. He's getting tons of business right now because so many people are seeking out counseling. And he wants to know how to manage his cash flow. Like many counselors, he doesn't have an accounting or finance background. Matt gives his thoughts about cashflow balances, burn rate, and interest rates. Listen in and learn more!If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AM 0001: How Do I Support Local Businesses as an Online Entrepreneur During This Crisis? Apr 15, 2020

In this very special episode, we're temporarily changing the name to AskMatt! I'm turning over the episode to Matt Gartland, who is my business partner, friend, and CFO/COO of SPI Media. Matt is hosting the show today, and for the next few episodes, to answer questions about what steps online business owners should take during this COVID-19 crisis. Today he answers a question from Tristan, who asks "How can online entrepreneurs better support local businesses during this crisis?" In addition, Matt also talks about how businesses can better manage their cash in order to prepare for future economic uncertainty. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Want To Take My Business to the Next Level. Should I Write a Book? Apr 09, 2020

In this episode of AskPat 2.0, I speak with Ramzi Marjaba from wethesalesengineers.com. We talk about monetizing the brand in a graceful way that serves the audience he's built. He's started writing a book, but maybe that's not the best way to go. Just what opportunities are in front of us? How do we decide whether to write a book or create some courses?If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “AskPat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Podcast is Exploding. How Do I Get Podcast Sponsors? Apr 02, 2020

In this episode of AskPat 2.0, we're speaking with Krista Karpowich who, thanks to one of our courses, Power-Up Podcasting, started a podcast. It's taking off right now, so fast, in fact, that she quit her full time job. We discuss monetization opportunities. She asks: "How do I get podcast sponsors?" We get into some of the nitty-gritty for sure. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Create a Separate Brand for My E-Commerce Clients? Mar 26, 2020

On this week's coaching call, I talk to a Bean Ninja. That's bean as in bean counter. A great name for a full-service bookkeeping website, right? Meryl Johnston started her business in 2015 with just $1,000 and a dream of changing the global bookkeeping game, and it's grown into something amazing. Sometimes, when we grow our businesses, we have new opportunities that come up and we aren't quite sure how to handle them or how they might even fit into the brand, or even if we should just ignore the opportunity altogether. Meryl is here to talk about whether she should add services for a new audience onto her brand and if so, how to do it. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Podcast From a Hobby to a Business? Mar 19, 2020

Marc Ronick has a lot going on in the podcasting space, including one show that he's done with his best friend since 2012. It's called the Marc and Lowell Show, and on it, he and Lowell make you laugh at real-life things. Their stories are relatable, and they're really good at making listeners feel like they are hanging out with friends. But now he's wondering, "How do I grow my podcast from a hobby to a business?"If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Business is Evolving. Should I Pivot My Current Podcast or Start a New One? Mar 12, 2020

AP 1111: My guest for this episode is Katie Hornor. Her podcast is targeted to beginner bloggers and she has 75 episodes behind her. But the people that Katie wants to reach in this next phase of her business are established business owners who want to create a legacy. In this episode we discuss whether or not she should pivot her current podcast to reach a new audience or start a new one.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Invite Guest Writers to Contribute to My Blog Without Diluting My Own Voice? Mar 05, 2020

When it's time to scale up, you might be considering opening your blog to guest posts. But today's guest asks, "How do I invite guest writers to contribute to my blog without diluting my own voice?" On this coaching call, I'm talking with Betty Boiron, a mom blogger and an entrepreneur just like you. She has done a great job of building an audience and getting keyword rankings at her site, mombrite.com, and now she wants to start delivering more to her audience. We discuss how to grow your blog gracefully, how to establish guidelines for guest writers and the challenges of working with guest writers.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! Get tickets for FlynnCon2! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have a Successful Blog, But How Do I Diversify My Income? Feb 27, 2020

Adam Enfroy has his act together. He's bringing a lot of relevant experience into his space, he's already found some success on his blog, and he knows it's time to expand. He's ready to diversify his income. In this episode, we discuss how he can do that. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! Get tickets for FlynnCon2! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Sell Authentically Without Overwhelming and Overselling To My Audience? Feb 20, 2020

In this episode of AskPat 2.0, I talk with Colette Kent, who teaches Ayurveda. She tells me that in the ancient days, Ayurvedic doctors would only get paid if they had no patients. How's THAT for a business model? It's making it hard for her to settle on appropriate marketing. Together, we come up with a really amazing opportunity for her to connect deeper with her audience and sell and serve at the same time.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! Get tickets for FlynnCon2!Episode is ScheduledPublish: Feb. 13, 2020 @ 5AM Edit(GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)Publish NowAmplify this EpisodeAdd Chapter Markers$.10/minute See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Get Traffic, But Have No Connection to My Audience. What Do I Do? Feb 13, 2020

In this episode of AskPat, On this episode of AskPat 2.0, we're speaking with Carrie Forrest from cleaneatingkitchen.com. She's been a food blogger for 10 years and is getting 400,000 page views a month. So what's the problem? She wants to connect with her audience, and now, that's not happening. Take a listen.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! Get tickets for FlynnCon2! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Manage Creating New Content With My Busy Life and Schedule? Feb 06, 2020

In this episode of AskPat, we’re talking with Sean Kenneday, a brand new entrepreneur who wants to learn how to become more productive, especially when it comes to creating content. Should he have guests come in to post and share their tips on his blog, striyve.com? Or will this wind up making more work for him? He’s got some money to spend, so we also chat about what might be the best ways for him to spend it. Check it out!If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! Get tickets for FlynnCon2! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Add a Subscription Model to My Online Courses? Jan 30, 2020

In this episode of AskPat, I chat with Nick about how he can add a subscription model to his online courses. Nick oversees the children and student ministries at his church, and also dedicates his time to helping other churches grow their leadership and their ministries. He's got a Family Ministry Podcast and also a learning site called Ministry Boost, where he offers classes that he and a team of instructors make available on a one-off basis. He's thinking about ways to grow and support everybody better, and thinking about maybe going with a subscription model for his online courses. What are some of the pros and cons with a subscription model? We discuss this, and other ideas for how he might modify his delivery model, in this episode.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “AskPat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! Get tickets for FlynnCon2! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When is the Right Time to Transition from Your Full-Time 9-to-5 Job? Jan 23, 2020

In this episode of AskPat, I'm talking with Jessica Rosario. She is in banking from nine to five each day. She also has two teenage daughters, started a nonprofit, is a leader in direct sales, and has a consulting business on the side. When she says that she's "completely exhausted," we totally believe her, right? Finally, we explore when is the right time to transition from your full-time 9-to-5 job. Learn more about Jessica at JessRosario.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on Apple Podcasts (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “AskPat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! Get tickets for FlynnCon2! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Finding Some Success But I Need More Time! What Do I Do Next? Jan 16, 2020

This Where Are They Know? episode is kind of a crossover, if you will, because we originally talked to this guest on the Smart Passive Income Podcast. In Episode 311, “How to Build an Audience with Your Hobby,” we talked to Phil Lichtenberger from Scanner School. He was a Power-Up Podcasting student who had taken what he learned and used it to build a strong following in a niche topic about his passion—radio scanners. For this episode of AskPat, we explore finding more time in your business to level up success.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! Get tickets for FlynnCon2! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Erin (1063) Jan 09, 2020

Today on AskPat, we check in with Erin from ThePetitPlanner.com. When we last spoke, on Episode 1063, she was feeling like her business had stalled out a little bit. She was trying to figure out how to bring what she offered to new audiences and new markets, and specifically, we talked about different channels she could explore. As you’ll hear, she’s done just that and seen some pretty immediate results.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! Get tickets for FlynnCon2! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Lea Pica (1055) Jan 02, 2020

We usually do Where Are They Now? episodes on AskPat for the end of the year, but this year, we had so many great success stories that we decided to keep going. This week, we check back in with Lea Pica of leapica.com. What was fun about checking in with Lea is that she did follow my advice, but it turned out to be a stepping stone to help her realize what she really needed to do. What she ended up realizing was that turning her material into an online course would make her audience feel like they weren’t missing out on anything.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! Get tickets for FlynnCon2! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Stacey Ogden (1057) Dec 26, 2019

Stacey helps teachers make more money at Side Hustle Teachers, which offers courses to get started with a business. Since we last spoke, she’s been really focusing on communicating with her audience through the Side Hustle Teachers Facebook Group and via direct emails. We also talk about how Stacey has been able to organically grow her Facebook group without spending anything on advertising.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Kyle Chittock (1051) Dec 19, 2019

In this episode of AskPat, we look at how Kyle has been able to turn his business into an overnight success. Specifically, I dig into what strategies has made him successful on YouTube and how he’s been able to use them to grow his business. We also talk about how much growth is too much, and how to keep things focused on what you want to achieve and not let everything get out of control. It’s so amazing to see growth, and I hope you’re inspired by seeing someone take action and reap the benefits. Learn more at boltonebikes.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Connie Neal (1062) Dec 12, 2019

In this episode, we talk about when it’s OK to put something on the backburner. You don’t want to back off of something just because you’re in an uncomfortable place and you have to do the hard work. With Connie Neal, I think it’s different. Listen closely to the way her voice lights up when she talks about Grandma Goodie. I’m really excited by this new direction and I can’t wait to check in again and see where it goes.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Jake Gosselin (1053) Dec 05, 2019

#1097 For this Where Are They Now? episode, we talk to Jake Gosselin, who runs a membership and coaching site for worship leaders at Churchfront.com. Since we last spoke, he's been able to double his membership, but now he's wondering if he needs to pivot and go in a new direction with higher-ticket personal coaching. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. Buy my new book Superfans! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1097.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Laura Dobbins Nov 28, 2019

On AskPat 1096, we check back in with Laura Dobbins from Episode 1052. Since we last spoke in January, Laura has been able to more than double her monthly passive income just by changing the pricing structure of her course, Laundromats 101. We also hear about an exciting new project she has in the works, so make sure to listen to the full episode.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Julia Kuhn Nov 21, 2019

On this week's episode of AskPat, I check back in with Julia Kuhn who I first spoke with back in AskPat 1054. Since February, Julia has been able to diversify her income, increase her affiliate earnings, and she's even created a course! Plus a whole lot more has changed. Listen in! And learn more about Julia at TheTravelingTraveler.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Pitch My Product Better? Nov 14, 2019

Gordon is a therapist in Tennessee who has created a course to help others manage the finances of their private practices, but when it came time to pitch his ideas, things didn't go so well. In this episode, we explore how Gordon can adjust his thinking in order to succeed. You can find him at practiceoftherapy.com and the Practice of Therapy Podcast.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to AskPat Live from FlynnCon1 (3 of 3) Nov 07, 2019

In the final AskPat Live episode from FlynnCon1, I bring on another special guest, Chris Ducker, to take your questions! We answer questions about building trust and rapport with your audience, memberships vs. courses, Instagram strategy, business naming, and so much more. Speaking of FlynnCon, FlynnCon2 tickets are available now! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to AskPat Live from FlynnCon1 (2 of 3) Oct 31, 2019

In this second of three AskPat Live episodes from FlynnCon1, I bring on Chalene Johnson to take questions from FlynnCon1 attendees about how to position the problem you solve for your customers, how to balance what you share about your personal life with your business audience, and much more! We also get into Chalene's story a bit too. Speaking of FlynnCon, FlynnCon2 tickets are available now! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to AskPat Live from FlynnCon1 (1 of 3) Oct 24, 2019

In this first of three AskPat Live episodes from FlynnCon1, I take questions from FlynnCon1 attendees about how to market your podcast, how to serve your audience by focusing on their biggest pain points, how to integrate Instagram stories into your business, and many more! Speaking of FlynnCon, FlynnCon2 tickets are available now! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Might I Use My Recognition and Award to Grow My Audience? Oct 17, 2019

Kathy Walker recently received the 2019 North Carolina Assistant Principal of the Year award, which is such an amazing honor. Kathy also runs a podcast called Year of APing Dangerously, which helps other assistant principals and educators at large manage the ups and downs of the school year. Kathy wants to leverage her award to help grow her brand and, most importantly, serve even more people in the education field. Listen to Kathy's podcast at YearofAPingDangerously.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With No Extra Time, How Do I Increase Engagement and Grow My Business? Oct 10, 2019

Dr. Hussain Gandhi (aka Dr. Gandalf) helps general practitioners better understand and utilize technology for their practice and for their patients. He has a community of GPs he wants to grow, but feels like his niche is too small and doesn't have the extra time to accomplish it. In this episode of AskPat, we discover solutions for moving the needle on his business, even with very little time. You can learn more about Dr Gandalf at eGPlearning.co.uk and the eGP Learning Podblast.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Know What to Create a Course About and Best Serve My Customers? Oct 03, 2019

Lesya runs a nutrition and weight loss blog helping moms get fit and healthy after having babies. She wants to find focus in her business, and one way we explore doing that is through an online course. I help define what the course could be, and figure out how to validate the course idea with Lesya's audience. Learn more about Lesya at EatBeFitExplore.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Increase My Audience Engagement with a Podcast? Sep 26, 2019

Kara Gott Warner hosts a yarn crafting podcast called Power Purls. Kara's a maker, and she's building a community of other creatives and makers through her podcast, her website, and workshops. She's looking to reignite the passion in her business through her podcast, but wants to know how she can increase audience engagement. Learn more about Kara at KaraGottWarner.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Translate My In-Person Group Success Into Online Growth and Connection? Sep 19, 2019

Danielle West runs a business that hosts small in-person groups focused on helping partners communicate better and stay connected. But she's having difficulty translating the success she's had with small in-person groups into online growth and connection. I share some strategies for going from offline to online, scaling your online business, and more! Learn more about Danielle at IntentionalMarriages.net.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Expand My Reach and Grow My Audience for More Passive Income? Sep 12, 2019

Ben has a solid number of offline clients, and he wants to boost his online client numbers and grow his online reach. Right now, as Ben says, he's in the "murky middle" and wants to know a way out of it. We talk about where he wants to take his business, and how to expand his reach and grow his audience for more passive income. Learn more about Ben at FitnessPenPal.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create Passive Income for My Growing Product-Based Business? Sep 05, 2019

Steph has a solid, and growing, product-based business. She's looking for ways she can create passive income for her business. In this episode, we explore ways she can further optimize her current product offerings, as well as scale up her business in a big way. Learn more about Steph and her hand-crafted paper products business at JoyCreativeShop.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have Two Separate Platforms, But How Do I Connect Them Together? Aug 29, 2019

Brent has two separate platforms, a podcast and a brand, and they are a bit disconnected. In this episode of AskPat, I help Brent by figuring out how he can connect the two platforms together in a way that's easy for his customers to understand and find his brand without confusion. You can learn more about Brent and his business at MargaritaTexas.com, and his podcast at TequilaTester.com.[Disclaimer: Content relating to alcohol is mentioned in this episode, so if you're under 21, please be aware.]If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.Buy my new book Superfans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Start a Lot of Ideas, But How Do I Follow-Through and Stick to One? Aug 22, 2019

Jeremy is host of the podcast, The Aworkening, where he explores the new world of work. Jeremy is a self-professed "serial side hustler." He likes to start a lot of new ideas, but is having trouble with the follow-through. How can he stick to just one great new idea? We explore all of that on this episode of AskPat! You can learn more about Jeremy and his podcast at TheAworkening.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Do I Start to Build an Audience and Community Online? Aug 15, 2019

Mio is starting to build an audience within her mental health and wellness niche. We talk about Mio's superpowers, and how she can use those superpowers for good to build a community online for her business. Mio has an amazing offline business, but how can she take it online to grow her audience there? You can learn more about Mio at SolidWellness.org.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Prioritize What Needs to Be Done, in My Business, and in My Life? Aug 08, 2019

Ryan is a hairstylist with expertise in balayage. He shares his knowledge with his audience through online courses on Masters of Balayage, as well as through live events and speaking engagements. While business is good, it's hard to figure out what to focus on and how to get things done, especially with an eight-month-old in the house. We talk through strategies to prioritize work and get help where you need it the most!If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Deal With Imposter Syndrome, and How Do I Better Serve My Audience? Aug 01, 2019

Ben helps leaders become better leaders. He has a decent size email list and some products, but he's looking to jump to the next level. Ben wants to figure out how to best serve his audience, and overcome the imposter syndrome he's experiencing while growing his business. On this episode, Ben has some strategic and mental breakthroughs! You can find Ben at ThoughtfulLeader.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.You can pre-order my new book, Superfans, at YourSuperFans.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Build a Robust and Engaged Community That Translates to Sales Later? Jul 25, 2019

Katherine Maslen is a naturopath and is growing a community of people who want to shift their mindset, habits, and health for personal growth. Today, I talk with Katherine about how she can further grow her community while keeping them engaged enough to, hopefully, take action later by purchasing products, online courses, books, etc. Lots of great stuff in this episode! Learn more about Katherine's growing community at TheShiftClinic.com/group and KatherineMaslen.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.You can pre-order my new book, Superfans, at YourSuperFans.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Best Scale My Business After Getting Started and Building a Following? Jul 18, 2019

Kate Nelson is doing amazing work educating people on ways to reduce plastic use in everyday life. She has an awesome start, but she wants to know how to best scale her business after getting started and building her following. On this coaching call, I show Kate how to spread her message and boost her strong business start. You can learn more about what Kate's doing at IQuitPlastics.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.You can pre-order my new book, Superfans, at YourSuperFans.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How and Where Do I Focus My Time Across Multiple Interests? Jul 11, 2019

Bryony has a travel blog, a vegan blog, a course, and is working on a book. She has a pretty solid footing in her business, but she's struggling with how and where to focus her time across multiple interests. In this episode, I share some tips and strategies for growing and monetizing her brand while also finding the focus to grow her other interests. Learn more about Bryony at CoastingAustralia.com and VeganPossum.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.You can pre-order my new book, Superfans, at YourSuperFans.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do My Live Workshops and Online Courses Work Together? Jul 04, 2019

Anne is a teacher who specializes in language development, and specifically she helps other teachers learn Spanish so that they can better communicate with students and parents. Anne wants to host live workshops and create online courses for her language education, but she's not sure how it all fits together or where the money would come from. Find out today on AskPat. Learn more about Anne at MyBilingualHeart.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is Superfans About and Who Is It For? Jun 27, 2019

On a special episode of AskPat, I answer questions about my new book, Superfans, which will be out on August 13! I explore everything from what Superfans is all about, who it's for, and why you should pre-order the book before August 13 to claim two bonuses: a free download of the audiobook and a 90-minute training call with me! To pre-order Superfans, go to YourSuperFans.com today!If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get My Audience to Move and Convert? Jun 20, 2019

Kara is a running coach who provides support for new and experienced runners and walkers to help them achieve their fitness goals. She's built a strong community, but she's having a difficult time getting her audience to take the next step. With all of this valuable content Kara has created, how does she get her audience to move and convert? Find out today on AskPat! You can find Kara at ThisRunLife.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Progress When There's So Much to Do? Jun 13, 2019

Sarah is an author, a mom of four boys, a two-time cancer survivor, a mental health counselor, and so much more. She has a lot going on, to say the least, and a lot working in her favor. But how can Sarah progress when there's just so much to do, and the overwhelming feelings start taking control? Find out today on AskPat! You can learn more about Sarah at SarahFenlonFalk.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does It Make Sense for Me to Start a Podcast? Jun 06, 2019

Dr. Kathleen Perry isn't quite sure if she should start a podcast. Kathleen's business helps women over 50 reclaim their vitality and live life to the fullest. But how can she translate that into a podcast? And does a podcast make sense for her? We explore that, why she's stuck on getting a podcast started, and how a podcast can help her business in the end. Dr. Perry can be found at DrKathleenPerry.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm an Expert, But How Do I Get People to Buy My Services? May 30, 2019

Ross was laid off recently, and is an expert in his technology field. Since then, he's been looking to start a business fueled by his expertise. But where should Ross start? And how does he get people to buy his services? By the end of this episode, Ross has a major breakthrough. Listen in! Ross can be found at Ross-Sivertsen.com and DallasDigitalSolutions.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Scale My Business and Reach My Goals? May 23, 2019

Leili creates designer cat collars and harnesses for her company, Supakit. Leili has the systems in place, but she needs a little help scaling her business. How can she get more customers on her website? Today, we explore the ways Leili can scale her business and reach all of her business goals. You can find Leili at Supakit.co.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Monetize My Growing Audience Authentically? May 16, 2019

Vickie, with her wife Larissa, runs a vegetarian lifestyle blog, podcast, community, and website called Vegetarian Zen. Vickie is starting to think about monetizing her audience, after some success using Patreon. But she wants to know how to monetize her growing audience in an authentic way. We explore all of that on the latest AskPat! You can find Vickie at VegetarianZen.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Succeed with a Business I Care About that Once Failed? May 09, 2019

Tiffany has gone through a ton of iterations in her business, some great wins, and some failures. Today on AskPat, she's trying to figure out how she can succeed with a business she really cares deeply about but that has already failed in the past. We can learn so much from our failures, and that's what we explore today! You can find Tiffany at KidsCookingSchool.org.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and make sure to subscribe too). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Organize My Offerings and Make Sure They Make Sense? May 02, 2019

Jonathan is a sports psychologist. He just launched a beta version of a new online coaching program for athletes. Bu he wants to know how to launch it to the public, and how to organize his other offerings so they make the most sense for his audience. You can find Jonathan at JonathanLelievre.comIf you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Choose Which Passion to Monetize? Apr 25, 2019

Brandon has two main passions. The first being fitness, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle. The second being video gaming. In this call, we explore how Brandon can determine which passion to follow through with and the ways he can monetize going forward.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is Preventing My Success? Apr 18, 2019

Guy Macpherson is a trauma therapist, and his business brings together resources for trauma clinicians and therapists. Guy has all the right components for his business, he just needs help putting it together to achieve the success he wants. What is preventing his success? Find out today on AskPat! You can find Guy at TheTraumaTherapistProject.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Break Through When My Business Plateaus? Apr 11, 2019

Erin is a a personal development and self-care blogger who teaches people how to use a bullet journal. Erin has experienced a lot of rapid growth, but has since stalled and is now at a plateau. I help her with some tools and strategies for breaking through her business plateau. You can find Erin at ThePetitePlanner.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Pitch My Dream Product? Apr 04, 2019

Connie Neal is an educator who helps people create online courses. But she now wants to focus on her big dream. During this coaching call, Connie pitches her big dream product to me, and I give her a grade. This is one of the most fun coaching calls I've had in a long time, and I hope you enjoy it too! You can find Connie at AchieversStudio.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Get My Audience to Finally Start Taking Action with Me? Mar 28, 2019

Chris Hill is a chef who helps other chefs with personal development and company culture. He's been growing a loyal following, but wants his audience to take action with him. We're going to uncover an awesome strategy for doing exactly that, so stick around! You can find Chris on Facebook, Instagram, and ChrisHillOnline.com. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Small Social Media Following and Build My Brand? Mar 21, 2019

Cody is a new entrepreneur in the cannabis space, but he's having difficulty building a brand and monetizing the work he does online. Should he try affiliate marketing? Consulting calls? We're going to dive into a bunch of strategies for Cody today. If you want to learn more about Cody's business, you can find him on Instagram and YouTube.And hey, if you're looking to build an email list of your own, there's no one I recommend more highly than ConvertKit, a company I've worked with for the last four plus years. They truly care about your success and they have a ton of advanced features without advanced feature pricing. If you want a free trial, just head on over to AskPat.com/convertkit. [Full Disclosure: I'm a compensated advisor and an affiliate for ConvertKit.]If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is the Path to Doing Only What Sparks Joy? Mar 14, 2019

Dara is a well-known gender therapist who needs a little help niching down so they can create the biggest impact. How can they declutter their business life and do only what sparks the most joy? You can find Dara at DaraHoffmanFox.com and on their YouTube channel.The thought exercises we go over today are from my book, Will It Fly?, which I highly recommend to anyone looking to find direction and clarity in entrepreneurship.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Get Customers When Culture and Language May Be a Barrier? Mar 07, 2019

Today I'm talking with Paul from Mind Nation—this is a very unique call because of the particular population that Mind Nation targets and the challenges that come from that. Paul's business is in the personal development space, but he and his business partner are having trouble connecting to their Japanese target audience. No matter who you're targeting with your own business, I promise you there's a lot to learn from today, so stay tuned! Find out more about Paul at MindNationJP.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Organize a Launch with Various Start Dates? Feb 28, 2019

Today I'm talking with Stacey from Side-Hustle-Teachers.com—she helps teachers create additional income through side hustles. She has some launches and new pursuits on the horizon, so today I'm giving her strategies for knocking them out of the park, like coordinating a launch with various start dates, utilizing influencer and affiliate marketing, and more!If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do We Convert More Traffic into Our Coaching Program? Feb 21, 2019

Zuzana and Nikki have an awesome website in the health and wellness space—ActiveVegetarian.com—but they're not converting as many coaching clients as they'd like. Listen in as I help them hone in on what's working, and the changes they can make to drive the results they're after.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Grow My Business When I Also Have to Run It? Feb 14, 2019

Today I'm chatting with Lea Pica from LeaPica.com—she's a data storytelling expert who turns numbers and data into inspirational, applicable material for businesses and presentations. She wants to take her business to the next level, and today I'm going to give her—and you by proxy—a quick resource that can seriously change the entire course of your business. Let's get started! You can hear more from Lea on her podcast—The Present Beyond Measure Show—and you can find her on Twitter and other platforms @LeaPica.In this episode I recommend Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters—it's an awesome book that will help you on the way to growing your business to the next level. [Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive compensation if you purchase through this link.]If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Diversify My Affiliate Income in My Business? Feb 07, 2019

Julia has a site called TheTravelingTraveler.com, where she provides tips and inspiration for traveling healthcare professionals. It's an amazing niche. She has some great affiliate partners, but she wants to create some different relationships with those partners. How can she diversify her affiliate income from the site? You can definitely hear the lightbulbs going off in this one—stick around! You can also find Julia through her instagram: @TheTravelingTraveler_.In this episode I recommend reading Will It Fly?—a book I wrote about idea validation and testing your ideas before you go all in with them.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's the Best Way to Grow and Scale with All the Options Out There I Could Do? Jan 31, 2019

#1053 Today I'm coaching Jake Gosselin, who runs a membership site in the worship leader space—people who sing and create energy at church gatherings. He's had a good taste of success so far, but he wants to grow further. How can he grow and scale his business? What I offer Jake is probably the best piece of advice that I could give you—make sure you stick around! Jake's sites are Churchfront.com and WorshipLeaderSchool.com.In this episode I mention Session 115 of the Smart Passive Income Podcast—"9000 Unread Emails to Inbox Zero: My Executive Assistant Shares How We Did It (and How You Can Too!)"—a great episode to listen to if you're thinking about hiring someone to handle your communications for you.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1053.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have I Made All the Money I Can in My Niche? What Else Could I Do? Jan 24, 2019

Laura found a super-specific niche for her business. Actually, I wouldn't recommend starting out in it, but Laura ended up becoming the go-to resource within that niche, which is laundromats! She feels that her potential income is tapped out, but today we're going to create a strategy to help her optimize and grow exponentially without adding a ton of work. There's so much growth within this episode—you can hear it in Laura's voice—so make sure you listen in. You can find Laura online at Laundromats101.com.In this episode I mention Session 75 of The Smart Passive Income Podcast—"Six-Figure Earnings with Ebooks (Not on Amazon) and a Pricing Structure That Works with Nathan Barry". It's a great resource for understanding pricing tiers and positioning for your business, so check it out!If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Make Passive Income on Top of My Ecommerce / Product Business? Jan 17, 2019

I'm coaching Kyle today, who owns an ecommerce business creating parts for ebikes and custom-building his own ebikes too. Kyle's trying to figure out what his next steps are and how to maximize his time so he can make some passive income on top of what he's already doing. We dive deep today so that he can do exactly that. Check out Kyle's site at BoltonEbikes.com.The recommended resource for this episode is Kit.com, where you can create lists of gear or tech that you use in your business or hobby and share it. Super cool—check it out!If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Business as a Designer after a Failed Course Launch? Jan 10, 2019

Today I'm chatting with Jessica Freeman, an amazing designer who works one on one with clients, primarily service-based businesses and health and wellness professionals. She's trying to create more passive income, but so far her efforts haven't worked out as well as she'd like. How can she create more passive income and get some time back too? You can find out more about Jessica at JessCreatives.com or on Instagram and YouTube @JessCreatives.In this episode I mention my book, Will It Fly? It's a great resource for validating your ideas and working with your audience to create the right kinds of products.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Target Audience Didn't Respond—What Do I Do? Jan 03, 2019

Happy New Year and welcome to 2019! Today I'm chatting with Pam Farley, a blogger and author whose niche is in all-natural products, healthy eating, and gardening. You can find her at BrownThumbMama.com. Pam recently created new content for a specific audience that she had surveyed, even though that audience wasn't her typical avatar. Things didn't take off, so today I'm going to help her debrief and better organize her approach going forward. Let's dive in!If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Jacques Hopkins (From AP 1032) Dec 27, 2018

Jacques Hopkins is back with us today, from Pianoin21Days.com. He was coached just sixteen episodes ago in Episode 1032, and it's amazing to hear how far he's come. Back then he needed help segmenting his email list; today he's going to tell us about the tool he used to make that process easy and the results he's seeing because of it, plus the new business he began in the meantime, TheOnlineCourseGuy.com!In this episode we mention RightMessage—a fantastic tool for segmenting your audience. You can use it to display different calls-to-action based on your audience's need, for example. It's pretty epic so check it out!I'm throwing my first-ever live event next year, FlynnCON1 in San Diego, July 26-28! The theme is Press Start, and I'd love to see you there at this family-friendly event. Act fast before the rest of the tickets disappear!If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Sam Gavis-Hughson (From AP 1004) Dec 20, 2018

Sam was last on the show earlier this year in Episode 1004 of AskPat 2.0 (I accidentally said 1003 in the intro—oops!). Sam put a lot of my advice from that episode into practice, particularly related to creating and optimizing online courses and driving traffic to his content, and he's here today to tell us all about how it went. If you want to learn some tips and tricks for creating successful online courses of your own, this is a great example! Find out more about Sam at Byte-by-Byte.com or on his YouTube channel.In this episode we mention Brian Dean's SEO That Works course. If you're looking to increase search engine traffic to your site, definitely check it out!We also mention Social Blade, an excellent analytics tool you can use for YouTube and other social channels. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Jackie Bolen (From AP 1003) Dec 13, 2018

Jackie was one of the first guests here on AskPat 2.0, back in Episode 1003. Back then, Jackie was struggling to decide between pursuing her ESL (English as a Second Language)-related business or a second business focused on Amazon. She was torn between the two, and couldn't focus and grow either as a result. What happened next? That's what today is all about: Jackie's here to tell us what she decided, what happened, and the strategies she's now using to grow her business by 4x. Amazing. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Ethan Clarke (From AP 1010) Dec 06, 2018

Ethan joined us in Episode 1010 to get advice on scaling his super-niche site—a business in the marriage proposal space called TheMarriageProposal.com. He's back this week to tell us what happened since then and how he's driving traffic and leveraging past customer relationships. Plus, he's looking for advice on new directions in his business. Let's dive in!In this episode I mention two recent episodes of The Smart Passive Income Podcast which deal specifically with the physical product process. They are: SPI 341: How to Become an Inventor Entrepreneur with Ryan Gorman and SPI 344: How Studio Neat Became Physical Product Rockstars through Kickstarter. Enjoy!If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Walid Azami (From AP 1022) Nov 29, 2018

Today I'm talking with Walid Azami, who was featured back in Episode 1022 of the show. Back then, he was struggling with the idea of selling to his audience. He's come a long way since then: He's here today to tell us what happened and to get some advice on his next steps. Find Walid on Instagram or on his website, HowtoPhotograph.net. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Stephen Pasquini (From AP 1014) Nov 22, 2018

I interviewed Stephen back in Episode 1014—he has two great websites at ThePALife.com and SmartyPANCE.com where he helps Physician's Assistants learn their trade. He was struggling with the overwhelm of the technology for his website and running the business on his own. Now he's back to tell us about how he overcame those struggles, plus what's next for his business. Let's get started!In this episode I mention ConvertKit, my number one recommendation for email list management. It makes managing your email list and setting up autoresponders easy and user-friendly. If you're building an email list, I highly recommend checking out ConvertKit. [Full Disclosure: I'm a compensated advisor and an affiliate for ConvertKit.] If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Gianna Kordatzky (From AP 1001) Nov 15, 2018

This week I have something really special: I'm bringing back Gianna Kordatzky, who was on the very first coaching session for AskPat 2.0! When I coached Gianna (way back in Episode 1001) she was dealing with a lot of overwhelm related to systems, who does what in her business, that sort of thing. She's back this week for a follow-up: Let's find out what happened since our last call! You can learn more about Gianna's business at FamilyFunTwinCities.com.If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Meg Brunson (From AP 1009) Nov 08, 2018

We're back this week with another Where Are They Now? episode, this time featuring Meg Brunson from Episode 1009! That was recorded seven or eight months ago when Meg was having some issues related to decisions around her branding—whether to put her projects under one brand or many. This week she'll tell us what's happened since then, what she's learned, and what her plans are for the future. You can find out more about Meg at MegBrunson.com.Let me know how you feel about the new Where Are They Now? episodes! Give me a shout on Twitter @PatFlynn and use the hashtag #AskPat1041. Don't forget to listen in next week, because I'm bringing back the very first person I ever coached using this new format, back in Episode 1001.In this episode I mention my course, Power-Up Podcasting. If you're looking to launch a successful podcast that helps grow your brand, this course will walk you through everything you need to know, from equipment and technical stuff to marketing and beyond. Check it out!If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Are They Now? Lisa Bunnage (From AP 1019) Nov 01, 2018

This is going to be the first of many Where Are They Now? episodes, where I actually bring back a guest I've coached in a past episode. It's been about six months since I talked with Lisa in Episode 1019, who had some issues with taking her coaching practice online. She helps parents deal with troubled teens, and her site's called BratBusters.com. Today we're going to see what Lisa's been up to, what pains or problems I might be able to help her with next, and what's on the horizon. Let's get started!In this episode I mention my course, Power-Up Podcasting. If you're looking to launch a successful podcast that helps grow your brand, this course will walk you through everything you need to know, from equipment and technical stuff to marketing and beyond. Check it out!If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com.If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much!Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As My Business Grows, How Do I Stay Connected to My Audience? Oct 25, 2018

This week I'm sitting down with Aleisha Maddock, who has a thriving business over at TheBrideChilla.com. Her concern now is that she doesn't want to lose touch with her audience as she grows. We always want to make sure we're there for our people, and I share a lot of my own personal experience with the challenges of growing. Side note: Aleisha is one of the funniest people I've ever had on this show, so don't miss it! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Create an Online Business When Time Management Is Difficult? Oct 18, 2018

Roger is a seasoned woodworker. Now that he's an empty-nester, he's getting a bit tired of the physical labor and wants to translate his expertise into an online, passive income-driven business. He's got a lot of ideas—a book and online course, for example—but business is good and his time is limited. How does he make the most of his time? If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. In this episode I recommend Rev. Rev is an amazing tool for fast, accurate transcriptions. You can use it to get your stream of consciousness down on paper quickly, for example. I highly recommend it! [Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive compensation if you purchase through this link.] If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So Many Ideas! How Do I Know If I'm Going in the Right Direction? Oct 11, 2018

This week's coaching call is with Michelle, who owns a counseling practice (online and offline). She has a lot of ideas, and she's not sure if she's heading in the right direction. I coach her to some amazing breakthroughs and a game plan for the future. You can find out more about Michelle at StrideWellness.org. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. In this episode I mention my book, Will It Fly? It's full of great thought experiments and tactics for validating your business. Find out more by clicking the link! I also mention a great book by my friend Chris Ducker called Virtual Freedom. It's a book that focuses on working with virtual staff to find more time yourself, but it also includes great exercises for understanding what what aspects of your business you should focus on. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Manage Two Businesses, and How Can They Connect Together? Oct 04, 2018

Today I'm talking one on one with Jane Hamill, who has a couple brands going at once. Today we're going to figure out how they all relate and how Jane can manage and organize them. You can find Jane online at JaneHamill.com, FashionBrainAcademy.com, and her membership site, Imperfect Action. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Create Something Online to Support My Offline Practice? Sep 27, 2018

I'm talking to Tarun today, who has a passion for dentistry. He's done a lot of work educating dentists around the country and wants to do more of it. He wants to turn that passion into a thriving online side-business without quitting his chair-side practice altogether. I'm going to help him find the simplest way to do that—stick around! In this episode I mention my book, Will It Fly? It's full of great thought experiments and tactics for validating your business. Find out more by clicking the link! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. By the way, if you want to check out some of my upcoming live trainings for things like affiliate marketing and podcasting, all you have to do is check out SmartPassiveIncome.com/live. See you there! If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create an Offer That Serves a Majority of My Audience? Sep 20, 2018

You're about to hear a coaching call with Melody from MelodyWilding.com. You can also visit MelodyWilding.com/mediasecrets for free training on how to get mainstream publicity. Melody's a coach and she wants to serve more of her audience by creating a wider-reaching offer. She's not quite sure how to do that, so we walk through the process and uncover exactly what she wants to do next. Let's get started! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Profits Are Being Eaten! How Do I Scale but Stay Profitable? Sep 13, 2018

This week I'm coaching Luis Diaz, who has a podcast agency in the fitness entrepreneurship space. You can find Luis on his Instagram. Like with any new business, Luis's agency is having some growing pains. As he's gained clients, it's become harder and harder to scale his revenue without scaling the cost of providing the service. He's feeling stuck. How can he scale, both in terms of growth and revenue? And as he scales, how can he better manage his team and systems so he can focus where he needs to? If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. In this episode I mention Brian Casel from ProductizeandScale.com, a great site that helps solopreneurs and freelancers scale their business and services. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Segment My Audience Without Getting Overwhelmed? Sep 06, 2018

On the show with me today is Jacques Hopkins, who owns a very successful business called Pianoin21Days.com. He also has a successful YouTube channel. Jacques is at a point where he wants to create better sales funnels for his business, specifically through audience segmentation. This is a great idea but—as I know from experience—it can be completely overwhelming. Today we're going to talk about how to tackle segmentation step by step. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. In this episode I mention Brennan Dunn, who's the king of segmentation right now. You can learn about him at DoubleYourFreelancing.com. He's created some great tools that I recommend checking out, like RightMessage and RightAsk. I also mention a book in this episode called Ask by Ryan Levesque, a great resource for understanding what questions to ask your customers through surveys and the like. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show, and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Serve Another Market in the Same Niche? Aug 30, 2018

Today I'm coaching Shira Karpel, who has a business helping ABA therapists (Applied Behavior Analysis), specifically ABA therapists who help children. You can find her online at HowtoABA.com and The Behavior Resource. She's thinking of branching out to start a resource for parents of children with learning disabilities as well. How does her new direction fit into her current business? How can she serve both groups? If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show, and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Expand outside My Local Area and Go Online? Aug 23, 2018

I've got Debbie Tringale on the show today, a dog training expert with a very special superpower, or "unfair advantage" as I like to call it. But her business is very location-based, and she mainly caters to local people. How can she transition her services online, gather a following, and create revenue streams for her new online business? Find out more about Debbie at MeandMyDogs.biz. In this episode I talk about idea validation, which I cover extensively in my book, Will It Fly? I also mention a book by a good friend of mine, Chris Ducker, called Rise of the Youpreneur. It's got a lot of great information in it about building a personal brand, and various models and offerings you could use in your business. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show, and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Should I Offer to Better Monetize My Business? Aug 16, 2018

Today's coaching session is with June Bolneo, Founder of The Digital Workforce, a company that teaches people how to shift from the traditional nine to five to remote, online careers. She wants to better monetize, get some more time back, and go full-time with her business. Today I'm going to help her create some positive momentum! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show, and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Next week I'm talking with Debbie, who has a very localized, brick and mortar business. How can she scale and expand out into the online world? Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a Side-Wantrepreneur, Where and How Should I Start? Aug 09, 2018

Today's guest is Jake Nelson. He works a full-time job as a project manager, but he wants to start something new. He has a lot of passions, he just doesn't know where to start or what to do. This is an awesome episode, especially if you're just starting out in online business. Through the call, we identify key strategies for validating your business ideas and creating blueprints for getting them off the ground. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show, and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm at My "Client Limit" - How Do I Go Solo to Agency? Aug 02, 2018

The issue with a service-based business is that you can only scale so big before you either burn out or stop delivering quality work, and that's what's happening with today's guest, Julienne DesJardins. She's reaching her client limit but knows she can help a lot more people, so she's expanded her business to include a team. The problem that she's running into is that people don't want the team—they want her. How can she keep her brand running under her name but with a team behind it? And how should she package her business services? By the way, if you're on Twitter or Instagram, let me know what you thought of this episode. I know a lot of you probably have had this issue of growing outside of yourself and your business, so give me a shout out using the hashtag #askpat1027. I'd love to know your thoughts! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show, and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Monetize My Hobby Website? Can It Make Money? Jul 26, 2018

Emory is my guest on the show today. He has a hobby website called ByLand.co. He's a backpacker who once hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, and so his website is in the backpacking niche. He also runs a podcast called The By Land Podcast. I'm going to coach Emory so he can monetize that site, go full-time with his business, and help more people backpack better. Stick around! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. In this episode I mention how effective resource pages can be, and a fantastic example is my buddy Thomas's resource page at CollegeInfoGeek.com/resources. Check it out! If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show, and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! A lot of people have been asking me if I have any special deals for ConvertKit. As a matter of fact, I do! You can actually get a 45-day free trial if you go to SmartPassiveIncome.com/convertkit45—you can only get that through me. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. Tune in next week, where I go deep with someone who's reached their client limit. They can only handle so many and they want to go agency but they don't know how. You can hear that coaching call next week on AskPat. See you then! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Hire a Coach or Get into a Mastermind Group? Jul 19, 2018

This week's coaching call is with Melanie Bledsoe. She's a CPA and the owner of Bledsoe Consulting Services, providing bookkeeping and tax services for small business owners. She wants to move to full-time work with her business, but she wants to make sure she doesn't miss anything along the way. Should she hire a coach or join a mastermind group, and are either choices the best use of her money and time? You can find Melanie online at BledsoeConsultingServices.com or on Instagram @BledsoeConsultingServices. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show, and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Do I Focus the Growth of My Business? Jul 12, 2018

Today I'm coaching Adam, one of two Founders of SEO Brothers (you guessed it, they're brothers). Adam wants to grow his company, but needs some guidance so he can put his energy in the right direction and not be kicking himself later (I've been there). We'll work through a few exercises to help him brainstorm his next steps—you can play along too, so stick around! You can find Adam's business online at SEOBrothers.co. If you like the thought experiments we go through in this episode, the first few chapters of my book, Will It Fly? are full of them, so take a look! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. If you enjoyed today's episode and you love the format of this show, and helping other entrepreneurs, can you help me convince others to listen too? All you have to do is leave a quick review and rating on iTunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would mean the world to me, so thank you so much! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Lead Magnet Should I Create for My New Business? Jul 05, 2018

Today's guest is Amanda Brown, a UK entrepreneur who's in the midst of writing a book with her two daughters about working from home. She wants to grow her email list, but she's not sure what lead magnet she should use. We'll talk her through it so she doesn't overextend herself, so that she can create the most effective, robust lead magnet possible. You can find Amanda on the web at Homepreneur.co. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. In this episode we refer to a recent YouTube video of mine: How to Get More Email Subscribers (17 Lead Magnet Ideas). Don't forget to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review on iTunes. I appreciate you! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Sell but Still Help People for Free? Jun 28, 2018

This week I'm coaching Walid Azami, a successful photographer who wants to get out there and help others do the same. He wants to monetize his business through ebooks, courses, and coaching, while also building his following and staying conscious of his followers who might not have a lot of money. How should he proceed? Check out Walid on Instagram and at WalidAzami.com. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. I haven't asked for this in a while, but if you have a minute it would be so helpful if you subscribed and left an honest review on iTunes. If you haven't done that yet please do so, and thank you so much to all those who already have left a review. I appreciate you! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Stay Organized with Multiple Websites and Courses? Jun 21, 2018

On today's show I'm coaching Guy Hauptman, a science teacher who has built several different online courses on several different websites and hosting accounts. He needs help managing all of them before he burns out, so I'm giving him strategies to streamline his business, as well as some advice and mindsets for outsourcing help. You can find Guy's sites at ChemVideoTutor.com, BioVideoTutor.com, PhysicsVideoTutor.com, AlgebraVideoTutor.com, and GeometryVideoTutor.com. In this episode I recommend checking out ManageWP.com, a tool that allows you to manage and switch between multiple WordPress websites from one dashboard. I also recommend an app called 1Password for managing passwords safely with multiple team members. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Stop the FOMO and Start Making Money? Jun 14, 2018

Anand is struggling with a little bit of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)—I think a lot of us can relate! He's had an amazing weight transformation in his life—losing 125 pounds and maintaining his weight loss over six years—and wants to share it with the world, but his FOMO is distracting him. Today I'm going to help him find focus, monetize his business, and defeat FOMO so he can get out there and serve others. You can check out Anand's site at UnderdogStrength.com. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Go from Coaching to Generating Passive Income? Jun 07, 2018

On this episode I'm coaching Lisa, who is herself a coach—a parenting coach. Her website is BratBusters.com. She helps parents understand how to discipline children while still having fun and keeping those relationships strong. She's having trouble converting her one-on-one coaching to passive income, like an online course, and finessing the messaging of her brand. I'm going to walk her through that process today. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Didn't Our First Launch Go Well? May 31, 2018

On this episode of AskPat, we're talking to two people—Michael Allen and his partner Ri'keam Kenebrew, of 2023 Vision—a business with a YouTube channel that helps people create music videos. Recently, they validated and launched an online course . . . but it didn't go so well. How can they make their next launch more successful? If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make an Extra $200-$400 Per Week? May 24, 2018

Today's guest is Darlene Smith, a hairstylist who's great at selling but doesn't know what to sell. She recently got involved in the promotions field and loves it. But she's been working seventy-hour weeks for a while now, and wants to find ways to create passive revenue streams. Her initial goal is small: Make an extra $200-$400 per week. How can she get there? Today I'm going to coach her to a major breakthrough, so stick around. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. In this episode I mention Teachable, an amazing platform for creating an online course. [Full Disclosure: I'm a compensated advisor and an affiliate for Teachable.] If you're looking to start an online business it's critical to build a solid email list, and to do that I highly recommend using ConvertKit. If you want to get a forty-five day free trial (can't get that anywhere else!) check out SmartPassiveIncome.com/convertkit45. [Full Disclosure: I'm a compensated advisor and an affiliate for ConvertKit.] Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Double the Revenue on My Blogs? May 17, 2018

Today's guest is Tom Drake, from MapleMoney.com, RetireHappy.ca and TomDrake.net: a financial blogger who I've known through the years from FinCon—the financial media conference. Tom has been running his online business for nine years now and he's looking to take it to the next level: His goal this year is to double his revenue. He wants to monetize better, reduce expenses, and get to a point where he can quit his day job comfortably. What advice and strategies can I offer him? If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com . Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Niche Business Should I Focus On? May 10, 2018

Today’s guest is Sherree Murray. She's going through something that a lot of entrepreneurs go through, which is figuring out which business to focus on. Which one will serve the most people? Where should she focus? What are her long-term goals? We're going to work through that today and make sure there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I think a lot of you can relate. Sherree's sites are RemarkableSpaces.com and WellPlannedMove.com. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com . Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Upgrade My Site and Serve My Audience Better? May 03, 2018

Today’s guest is Stephen Pasquini. He has two websites in the growing Physician’s Assistant (PA) niche: ThePALife.com and SmartyPance.com. He’s been growing his business for a while now and it’s doing well, but he thinks it could improve. How can he serve his audience better? He’s also having trouble on the tech side with his website. Should he outsource help? And should he go all-in with his online business? If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com . If you have yet to build an email list, or you’re looking for a great email service provider with an easy-to-use suite of tools, I recommend ConvertKit. You can get a forty five-day free trial (you can’t get this anywhere else!) by going to SmartPassiveIncome.com/convertkit45. Check it out! [Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive compensation if you purchase through this link.] Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Membership Site Faster? Apr 26, 2018

Today I’m talking to Steve, a statistcs teacher and basketball coach who’s building an online membership site for his website: TeachHoops.com. This isn’t Steve’s first time on the show; he was actually featured in Episode 964. His membership site is growing steadily, but he wants that growth to accelerate. How can he grow his business faster? If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. I am loving this new format, and it would be so grateful to have your encouragement. If you haven’t already, please leave a review for the show on iTunes. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Make Online Teaching More Passive? Apr 19, 2018

Today’s guest is Alexi Hoeft, a Calculus teacher and tutor who does both of those things mostly online! Her website is INeedtoPassCalculus.com. She’s juggling a lot of things—content, podcasting, YouTube, an online course. How can she keep all of those balls in the air, and should she? I know lots of us are in that camp of trying to do a lot of things at once. But if we’re not careful we end up with a kind of Frankenstein business. How to we manage and plan it, and what’s best? If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. I am loving this new format, and it would be so grateful to have your encouragement. If you haven’t already, please leave a review for the show on iTunes. And if you want to start a podcast, I can show you everything you need to know to get it up and running in just three days. Go to HowtoStartaPodcast.com to get started! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Use Superfans to Grow My Online Business? Apr 12, 2018

Today I’m coaching Rodney Holder, a music business coach. He used to play drums all around the world, creating records and playing with his idols. Now he’s building the lifestyle he wants through music! We’re going to be talking about all kinds of things—online course scarcity, affiliate percentages, membership sites, price points, and how to build superfans. It’s a loaded conversation and we cover a lot of ground, so enjoy! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. I am loving this new format and really enjoying myself. It’s definitely taking a lot more brainpower, and it’s definitely a different beast. I would be so grateful to have your encouragement, so please leave a review for the show on iTunes! Thank you all for your feedback—it means so much, especially after this conversion to AskPat 2.0. In this episode we mention Teachable, a fantastic online tool for creating online courses. Check it out at SmartPassiveIncome.com/teachable. [Full Disclosure: I'm a compensated advisor and an affiliate for Teachable.] And if you haven’t done it yet, head on over to my YouTube channel at SmartPassiveIncome.com/youtube. We have a ton of awesome content coming your way there every week, so check it out! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow and Scale a Super Niche Site? Apr 05, 2018

Today’s coaching session is with Ethan Clarke, who has a niche website called TheMarriageProposal.com. Ethan’s website teaches men how to plan an awesome marriage proposal, all written from a guy’s perspective. The website mainly generates revenue from ads and affiliate links. Ethan wants to branch out into ebooks eventually, but right now he’s focusing on his client/vendor relationships. He currently has relationships with photographers for proposals, engagements, weddings, etc, who then guest post on his website. How can he monetize his client/vendor relationships, create new ones, and scale his niche site? If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. I am loving this new format and really enjoying myself. It’s definitely taking a lot more brainpower, and it’s definitely a different beast. I would be so grateful to have your encouragement, so please leave a review for the show on iTunes! Thank you all for your feedback—it means so much, especially after this conversion to AskPat 2.0. And hey, if you haven’t yet started your email list—I recommend ConvertKit. I used lots of different providers before ConvertKit and I like it best out of all of them. Actually, ConvertKit is one of my favorite tools out of any tool I use with my business. I’ve grown with the company as an advisor since 2015, and I have a special deal for you that you can’t get anywhere else. If you go to SmartPassiveIncome.com/convertkit45 you’ll get a 45-day free trial! Again, check that out at SmartPassiveIncome.com/convertkit45. [Full Disclosure: I'm a compensated advisor and an affiliate for ConvertKit.] Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should All of My Projects Be Under One Website, or Many? Mar 29, 2018

Today we’re having a chat with Meg Brunson who’s doing a number of things with online business. We’re going to talk about balancing and branding them, and how they all fit together (or don’t). Meg is launching a podcast called Familypreneur, which covers the topics of parenting, entrepreneurship, and raising entrepreneurial kids. But she’s not sure at which point her side ventures merit their own websites, social media channels, etc. What fits under her personal brand and what deserves its own site and branding? You can check Meg’s site out at MegBrunson.com. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. I am loving this new format and really enjoying myself. It’s definitely taking a lot more brainpower, and it’s definitely a different beast. I would be so grateful to have your encouragement, so please leave a review for the show on iTunes! Thank you all for your feedback—it means so much, especially after this conversion to AskPat 2.0. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Stay Relevant in My Niche? Mar 22, 2018

Nicole needs a little help. She’s an amazing photographer, but she’s worried that her competition is getting ahead of her because of their age advantage. She wants to make sure that her audience grows with her, and that she’s attracting an audience outside of her age group. I’m going to talk this through with her today—a lot of it’s mindset, but a lot of it is specific strategies that she could implement, and some future-proofing for her brand. Find Nicole online at Nicolesy.com. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. I am loving this new format and really enjoying myself. It’s definitely taking a lot more brainpower, and it’s definitely a different beast. I would be so grateful to have your encouragement, so please leave a review for the show on iTunes! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Find More Accountability and Focus? Mar 15, 2018

Today’s coaching call is something I think you’ll relate to. David McBride is calling in from Northern Ireland, and he’s having a hard time focusing on one thing. Bright Lights Syndrome, Squirrel Syndrome—call it what you like, we’ve all been there. David is just starting out too, so if you’ve gone through the process of getting your business running, you know how hard this is. Let’s get started! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. I am loving this new format and really enjoying myself. It’s definitely taking a lot more brainpower, and it’s definitely a different beast. I would be so grateful for some encouragement, so please leave a review for the show on iTunes! Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Book or Speaking - Which Comes First? Mar 08, 2018

Today’s coaching call is with Stacy. She wants to go on speaking tour and she wants to write a book: Which should she do first? Her second question: Before either of those things, what type of editor should she choose to help her finish her book? Check out Stacy online at StacyBrookman.com. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Double My Email List and Sell Without Selling Out? Mar 01, 2018

Today’s coaching call is with Brian Matiash of Matiash.com, a photographer who sells a number of products and podcasts at well. He has two main questions. How can he double the size of his email list, and how can he sell without selling out? In this episode I mention a few tools to help with giveaways: KingSumo (for Wordpress) and Gleam.io. Check them out! If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. It’s ridiculously easy to use and their interface is highly-visual and super-intuitive. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Grow My Audience When I've Done All I Can? Feb 22, 2018

I’m talking to Sam today, from Byte-by-Byte.com. He helps software engineers interview for jobs (like Google, Facebook, etc). He’s testing his new course right now, and he’s a little burnt out. He’s doing pretty much everything himself and wants to focus on building his audience next. He feels like the best thing he can do to improve is to grow his audience, but he feels like he’s hit a barrier and is trying to figure out where to go next. How can he grow his audience to the next level? Check out Sam’s coaching and courses at Byte-by-Byte.com. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. You can actually get an unrestricted, thirty-day trial for free; just go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What One Thing Should I Focus On? Feb 15, 2018

Today’s coaching call is with Jackie Bolen, who needs to make a big decision but doesn’t quite know how. Jackie is a blogger and writer who teaches ESL (English as a Second Language). She was an ESL teacher in South Korea for ten years, started blogging, and fell into the online business world. Now back in Canada, she’s quit her job and is focusing full-time on her online business. With thirty books, three websites, and several Amazon affiliate sites, she feels she needs to pick one thing and focus on it. How does she choose? Check out Jackie on the web at JackieBolen.com. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. Go to FreshBooks.com and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Should I Reinvest in My Business? Feb 08, 2018

Today’s coaching call is with Cathy, a full-time professor and mom of three. She helps academic women—specifically moms—write and publish more. She makes most of her money via coaching and online courses. She’s had a great first year, but is wondering how much she should reinvest in her business. What should she be spending it on, business-wise? Check out Cathy’s site at CathyMazak.com. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who make the best financial management software out there. Go to FreshBooks.com and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Streamline My Business so I'm Not Overwhelmed? Feb 01, 2018

Welcome to the first episode of AskPat 2.0! To recap, in case you missed Episode 1000, going forward the episodes of AskPat will be much more than a single answer to a single question. Instead they’ll be a live, one on one coaching session! Through this process, you’re going to learn so much more in terms of how to discover the problems in your own business so you can tackle them head on. If you want to be considered for a coaching session, apply via the form at AskPat.com. Today’s coaching call is with Gianna of Family Fun Twin Cities. She has a very direct question for me today: How can she streamline her business so she's not overwhelmed? Sit back and enjoy this coaching call with Gianna! I’m excited to say that today’s sponsor is FreshBooks, who have agreed to sponsor the new format. They’re really excited too! FreshBooks makes the best financial management software out there. Go to FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s Next for AskPat? Nov 20, 2017

Today is a very special episode, and an important announcement! Since February of 2014, I’ve been answering questions five days a week here on AskPat. It’s been an amazing journey—999 questions answered and 4,000 questions submitted from listeners. To everyone who’s been listening and asking questions, thank you! Recently, I’ve noticed that I’ve been wanting more. I’ve been wanting to ask questions back, to have real conversations with the people asking questions. I want to get at the root of a lot of these problems—the mental aspects of becoming an entrepreneur, for example. Today, I’m so excited to reveal what’s coming up next: AskPat 2.0! To apply to be on a coaching call with me on AskPat 2.0, visit http://askpat.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Go Full-Time with My Online Business? Nov 17, 2017

Jackie has a question today about personal growth. She’s making enough money online that she could pay her bills, so she’s considering going full-time with her online business. What advice do I have for her? Jackie’s website is http://jackiebolen.com. Do you have a question about personal growth? Record it at http://askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Periodically Offer New Freebies to My Audience? Nov 16, 2017

Today’s question comes from Cookie, who has a podcast called Weight Loss Made Real. She has three short questions. Should she periodically offer new freebies to her audience? How often should she mention her free book on her podcast; on every episode? Does it make sense to use Facebook ads to lead people to the podcast? Check out Cookie's podcast at http://realweightlossrealwomen.com/category/podcast/. Do you have a question about audience engagement? Record it at http://askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Sell Original Products on Amazon? Nov 15, 2017

Today’s question comes from Chris. He has some physical, original products, like teeshirts, that he’d like to sell on Amazon. Should he still use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)? How does he market those products? What thoughts and advice do I have? In this episode I recommend checking out Benny Hsu’s website, http://getbusylivingblog.com/, where he talks about selling teeshirts in a similar manner. Benny uses https://teespring.com. You could also check out http://www.onlinesellingexperiment.com/ for more information on selling on Amazon FBA. I also recommend listening to Episode 99 of the Smart Passive Income Podcast: Buying Stuff and Selling it on Amazon (For 6 Figures a Year!) with Jessica and Cliff Larrew.—https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/fulfillment-by-amazon-fba/ Do you have a question about physical products? Record it at http://askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Reviewing Restaurants Monetizable? Nov 14, 2017

Today’s question comes from Razwan. He’s been reviewing Halal-certified restaurants on Instagram; is reviewing restaurants monetizable? Do you have a question about monetization? Record it at http://askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Improve My Email Open Rate? Nov 13, 2017

Today’s question comes from Emilio. How can he improve the open rate for his email marketing? In this episode, I recommend https://glockapps.com/, a great tool for testing emails before you send them. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Tips Do You Have for Setting up a Mastermind Group? Nov 10, 2017

Today’s question comes from Troy, who has some questions about mastermind groups. What should he consider when setting up his mastermind, what should he talk about in his first meeting, what tools do I use, and what suggestions do I have for paid masterminds? Troy’s website is http://troydelaney.com/. In this episode I mention a presentation I gave at Social Media Marketing World, specifically about mastermind groups, in 2015: http://bit.ly/2i1qi3T. Search for "mastermind groups," on SmartPassiveIncome.com for more information about mastermind groups. Do you have a question about mastermind groups? Record it at http://askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Publish Podcast Segments Individually? Nov 09, 2017

Jason has a question about podcasting: Should he publish segments as separate episodes or as one long episode? Starting at Episode 900 and leading up to (and including) Episode 1000, I’ve been leaving clues to a puzzle. Next week I’m giving away $1,000 to a random person who solves it, every day! You can also get multiple entries for sharing the podcast. To enter into the drawing go to AskPat.com/solve. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Bootstrap More Traffic to my Website? Nov 08, 2017

Today’s question comes from James: How he can get more traction on his site in a bootstrapping kind of way? James’ website is http://lasercutterfaq.com. Starting at Episode 900 and leading up to (and including) Episode 1000, I’ve been leaving clues to a puzzle. Next week I’m giving away $1,000 to a random person who solves it, every day! You can also get multiple entries for sharing the podcast. To enter into the drawing go to AskPat.com/solve. In this episode I mention my new course, Power-Up Podcasting. In it, I’ll show you how to launch a successful podcast. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to sign up for the waitlist. Do you have a question about online marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Package My Courses as Separate Modules? Nov 07, 2017

Darcie has a question about online courses. Should she bundle her courses together or package them as separate modules? Darcie’s website is https://ergonomicshelp.com/. Starting at Episode 900 and leading up to (and including) Episode 1000, I’ve been leaving clues to a puzzle. Next week I’m giving away $1,000 to a random person who solves it, every day! You can also get multiple entries for sharing the podcast. To enter into the drawing go to AskPat.com/solve. Do you have a question about online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Put Multiple Podcast Formats in the Same Feed? Nov 06, 2017

Today’s question comes from Juan. He has a podcast, but wants to try different formats of podcasts. Should he put the new podcasts in the same feed? Juan’s website is http://disruptivo.tv. Starting at Episode 900 and leading up to (and including) Episode 1000, I’ve been leaving clues to a puzzle. Next week I’m giving away $1,000 to a random person who solves it, every day! You can also get multiple entries for sharing the podcast. To enter into the drawing go to AskPat.com/solve. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Drive More Traffic to My Site? Nov 03, 2017

Today’s question comes from Dominick, who asks: How do I drive more traffic to my website? Dominick's website is http://PeaceofMindFinances.com. In this episode I recommend a blog post on SPI: How to Launch a Brand New Website (With a Bang!)—https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-launch-a-brand-new-website/. Do you have a question about traffic-building? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Put Everything I’m Learning Together? Nov 02, 2017

Alana has a question about starting out. She’s building a website and looking for new clients—how does she put everything she’s learning together, and what suggestions do I have for her? In this episode I mention my new, free five-day challenge and course: Build Your Own Brand. In this course I walk you through the process of creating a foundational website. Check it out today at https://smartpassiveincome.com/byob. I recommend checking out https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/convertkit, an amazing tool for building an email list. [Full Disclosure: I'm a compensated advisor and an affiliate for ConvertKit.] I also recommend my book Will It Fly?, which is all about idea validation and testing your next business idea. Check it out at https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/will-it-fly/. Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Convince People to Have a Mentor If I Don't Have One? Nov 01, 2017

Today’s question comes from Borja, who asks if it's hypocritical to encourage people to have a mentor even if he doesn’t have one? If someone wants to hire a mentor, does the mentor need to be more successful than them? Borja’s site is https://borjagiron.com. Do you have a question about mentorship? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is a Good Members-Only WordPress Plugin? Oct 31, 2017

Today’s question comes from Paul, who asks if I know any good members-only WordPress plugins. Also, what are some added-value items he can give to his community? Paul’s website is https://www.recoveryelevator.com/. In this episode I mention my book, Will It Fly?, which is all about idea validation and testing your next business idea. Check it out at https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/will-it-fly/. I also mention a few WordPress plugins in this episode: https://zippycourses.com and https://member.wishlistproducts.com/. Do you have a question about WordPress? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Get My Relaunched Podcast into New and Noteworthy? Oct 30, 2017

Today, Amy has a question about podcasting. She’s about to relaunch her podcast—is there a way to get into the New and Noteworthy section on iTunes when she does? Amy’s website is http://makermama.com/. In this episode, I mention my new course, Power-Up Podcasting. It will take you from no podcast to a vibrant, thriving podcast in just weeks. You can sign up for the waitlist at http://poweruppodcasting.com. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Start Out with a Podcast? Oct 27, 2017

Gayle has a question about podcasting. Should she start that way to connect with her audience, even if she’s just starting out? Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. If you’re looking to go deeper into podcasting, I can show you how to start a great show from the ground up before the end of the year. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to sign up for the waitlist. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Reviews for My Podcast? Oct 26, 2017

Today’s question comes from Yukari. She’s trying to get some reviews for her podcast, but has been unsuccessful so far. How can she encourage her audience to leave some reviews? Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. In this episode I recommend checking out https://mypodcastreviews.com/, a tool for collating all of your podcast’s reviews into one place. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Know When I’m Ready to Quit My Job? Oct 25, 2017

Monica has a big question today: How does she know when she’s ready to quit her job? Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Present My New Niche to My Audience? Oct 24, 2017

Today’s question comes from Charvee. Her niche is shifting and she’s concerned that if she begins to market her website with a new focus area, it will discourage or confuse her audience. What should she do? In this episode, I recommend checking out https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/convertkit, an amazing tool for building an email list. [Full Disclosure: I'm a compensated advisor and an affiliate for ConvertKit.] I also highly recommend checking out Episode 205 of the Smart Passive Income Podcast—https://smartpassiveincome.com/session205—a great story about how Simple Green Smoothies grew its audience on Instagram and then turned that following into a business. Do you have a question about niche marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Far in Advance Do You Schedule Social Media Posts? Oct 23, 2017

Today’s question comes from Jeff, who asks: How far in advance should I schedule my social media posts? Jeff's website is http://newmiddleclassdad.com. In this episode I mention CoSchedule—http://askpat.com/coschedule—the tool my team and I use for scheduling social media and blog posts. It’s a great tool for editorial planning; check it out! [Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive compensation if you purchase through this link.] Do you have a question about content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Fresh Ideas for Marketing Your Courses Do You Have? Oct 20, 2017

Today’s question comes from Tsh, who asks if I have any ideas for marketing courses or enrollment sites, especially when they have short enrollment windows. What outside-the-box ideas do I have on this subject? Find Tsh online at http://theartofsimple.net/. Do you have a question about online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Should I Spend Money on a Tool or Service? Oct 19, 2017

Russ has a question about starting his online business. He tends to find a lot of free or open-source tools, rather than spending money where he doesn’t have to. At what point is it best to spend money on a tool, rather than finding a cost-free solution? Russ' site is http://russkahle.com. Do you have a question about starting an online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Write Posts Based on Your Podcasts or Vice Versa? Oct 18, 2017

Today’s question comes from Walter and Francis. Do I write my blog posts based on podcast episodes, or vice versa? Find Walter and Francis online at https://activerecall.co/. If you want to go deeper in your own podcasting journey, check out my course, Power-Up Podcasting. You can sign up for the waitlist at http://poweruppodcasting.com. Do you have a question about content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Differentiate Myself from My Competitors? Oct 17, 2017

Ros has a question about his online business. He is a multimedia advisor, but sometimes feels overwhelmed by the competition. How can he differentiate himself from his competitors? Ros’ website is https://www.mpresta.com/. Do you have a question about business competition? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's Your Advice to Someone Building Their First Website? Oct 16, 2017

Today’s question comes from Ali. She’s building her first website and needs some advice. How long does it take to get a website up and running? How should she pace herself? Ali’s site (still in the works!) is TeacherTransition.com. In this episode I mention my new, free five-day challenge and course: Build Your Own Brand. In this course I walk you through the process of creating a foundational website. It opens today, and if you enter in the next week you can win a MacBook Pro, and you’ll be entered into a webinar about launching your brand. Check it out today at SmartPassiveIncome.com/byob. Do you have a question about website design? Record it at AskPat.com. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to ZipRecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Give Value to My Affiliates Without Being Biased? Oct 13, 2017

Today’s question comes from Aaron, whose site is https://pickakit.com. How can he provide value to his site’s affiliates without being biased in his recommendations? Do you have a question about affiliate marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Generate Leads in a Saturated Market? Oct 12, 2017

Today’s question comes from Amir. How can he create leads in a market where there is a lot of competition and lots of free content? Do you have a question about online content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Talk About My Competition? Oct 11, 2017

Adam has a question about competition. How should he handle it? What’s the best way to talk about competition in a positive light? Adam’s website is https://acepodcasts.com/. Do you have a question about competition? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Start an Online Fund to Help Rescue Animals? Oct 10, 2017

Today’s question comes from Joey. How can he start an online fund for his wife’s veterinary clinic? Two crowdfunding platforms I recommend for philanthropy are https://indiegogo.com and https://gofundme.com. Do you have a question about philanthropy or fundraising? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Share My Progress without Others Copying Me? Oct 09, 2017

Tina has a question about online marketing: How does she share her progress without having other people copy her? Do you have a question about online marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Get off Twitter If It Doesn't Result in Traffic? Oct 06, 2017

Today’s question is from Jeff, whose site is https://newmiddleclassdad.com. He’s noticed that Twitter brings his website the least amount of traffic; should he curtail his activity on Twitter? Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Enter the Personal Development Niche? Oct 05, 2017

Ron has a question about starting out. He wants to enter the personal development niche: How would I advise him to get started? Do you have a question about niche websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Tools Do You Use to Organize Your Team? Oct 04, 2017

Emanuel has a growing team for his business, Italy Made Easy, and he’s having some growing pains. How should he organize his growing team and how many tools do I personally use in my business? Find Emanuel online at https://www.italymadeeasy.com/. Do you have a question about team management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. In this episode I mention several tools that I and my team use for project management. https://coschedule.com for content creation and management; https://trello.com for larger projects like courses or software development; https://drive.google.com for organization and planning; and for team communication and files we use https://slack.com. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Start Online Courses or a Coaching Business? Oct 03, 2017

Today’s question comes from JT. He owns a handyman business in Colorado and is looking for guidance as far as doing coaching and/or creating an online course. What advice can I give him? Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. In this episode I mention my book, Will It Fly? In it, you'll learn how to test your business ideas so that you don't waste your time and money. Check it out at http://smartpassiveincome.com/will-it-fly/ My course, Smart From Scratch, is relaunching soon. It’s a lot like my book, Will It Fly?, except you get more detailed information about you and your specific idea, and access to a community and me as well. Check out http://smartfromscrach.com to sign up for the waitlist; you’ll hear about it next time enrollment opens. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Measure the Impact of Giving Away T-shirts? Oct 02, 2017

Today’s question comes from Borja: How do I measure the impact of giving away t-shirts or selling them online? Find Borja’s podcast online at https://www.borjagiron.com/podcast/. In this episode I mention my Serve First t-shirt, which I sell for Pencils of Promise (https://pencilsofpromise.org/), a charity I'm an advisor for. Check out the t-shirt at https://servefirst.io/. Do you have a question about audience engagement? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Business Faster? Sep 29, 2017

Today’s question comes from Steve. He has a website for basketball coaches, but so far it has grown in steps. How can he establish a curve of growth for his business? Steve’s website is http://www.teachhoops.com. Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Increase My Podcast Download Numbers? Sep 28, 2017

Mar is a meditation teacher in Mexico City. She has a podcast; how can she increase the amount of downloads her podcast receives? You can find Mar’s podcast online at http://www.mardelcerro.com/medita-podcast/. In this episode I suggest trying http://wavve.co, a cool way to turn your audio into videos for social media. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Many Episodes Should I Have Before I Launch My Podcast? Sep 27, 2017

Today’s question comes from Jonathan who has a question about podcasting. How many podcast episodes should he have cued up before he launches his podcast? Jonathan’s website is http://jonathangaby.com. If you want to go deeper into podcast strategy, check out my course, Power-Up Podcasting. You can sign up for the waitlist at http://poweruppodcasting.com. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Choose an Idea and Go Forward with It? Sep 26, 2017

Today’s question comes from Luis, who has a question about idea validation. He has a lot of ideas for startup businesses, but doesn’t know which one to pick. How can he get past the discomfort and and make a decision? If you’re looking for a great way to validate your business ideas with proven methods, sign up for the waitlist for my course, Smart From Scratch. Go to http://smartfromscratch.com/. Do you have a question about idea validation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s the Advantage of a Standalone vs. a Redirect Page? Sep 25, 2017

Chris has a question about websites. He asks: What is the advantage to having a page hosted as a standalone website as opposed to a redirect within your own website? Chris’ website is http://safetydawg.com. Do you have a question about websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Create a Podcast, YouTube Channel, or Both? Sep 22, 2017

Today’s question comes from Paul, who has a question about podcasting. Should he do a podcast and a YouTube channel? One or both? Paul’s website is http://DigitalIntervention.com. If you want to go deeper into launching a podcast, check out my course, Power-Up Podcasting. You can sign up for the waitlist at http://poweruppodcasting.com. Do you have a question about content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make More Course Sales? Sep 21, 2017

Today’s question comes from Corey, who runs a site called http://classroomtechmadesimple.com. He’s created an self-hosted course on his site for his customers, but he’s having problems selling the course. How can he make more course sales? Do you have a question about online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Leverage My Research for My Audience? Sep 20, 2017

Today’s question comes from David, who has a question about content. What steps should he take to leverage the research that’s he’s produced while in school, to help address his readers’ needs? David’s site is http://thetwleader.com/. Do you have a question about content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Interlink My Articles with Each Other? Sep 19, 2017

Today’s question comes from Chris, in Germany. He wants to know how to interlink his articles with each other on his niche site. Should they open in the same window or a new one? Do you have a question about websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's the Initial Cost of Live Streaming Equipment/Fees? Sep 18, 2017

Today’s question comes from Diego, who has a question about live streaming. What are the initial equipment investments and monthly fees, and how can he multicast to more than one platform? Diego's site is http://diegodavila.com. In this episode I mention two mics that will help you level-up your livestreaming: The Rode Smartlav microphone (http://www.rode.com/microphones/smartlav), and also the iRig Mic Lav (https://bhpho.to/2glJBUH). Do you have a question about live streaming? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Keep My Book Launch from Overshadowing My Courses? Sep 15, 2017

Today’s question comes from Mo, who’s launching a book. How can he keep his book launch from interfering with his companion courses, which will be launching at the same time? You can find Mo’s site at https://intentionalbeings.com/. Do you have a question about online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Create a Video Version of My Podcast? Sep 14, 2017

Today’s question comes from Sha. Should she create a video version of her podcast and upload it to YouTube? Sha’s website is https://seminarphilippines.com/. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do You Use a Commission System for Your Kids’ Chores? Sep 13, 2017

Today’s question comes from Max who asks, what is the commission system I use with my kids for chores? Find Max online at http://themodernyou.com/. In this episode I recommend Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze, a great book about raising your kids to be financially successful. https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Money-Kids-Raising-Generation/dp/1937077632 Do you have a question about home-based business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Connect with Leaders in My Niche? Sep 12, 2017

James has a question about niche marketing. He’s identified leaders in his niche but doesn’t know what to say when he reaches out to them. Where does he start? James' website is http://godspeeddevelopment.com. Do you have a question about niche marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s the Difference between Libsyn and Soundcloud? Sep 11, 2017

Today, Wan has a question about podcast hosting: What is the difference between Libsyn and SoundCloud? Find Libsyn at http://libsyn.com and Soundcloud at http://soundcloud.com. I also talk about another podcast host, Buzzsprout, which is at http://buzzsprout.com. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Evaluate Email Success with ConvertKit? Sep 08, 2017

Today, Darcy has a question about email marketing. How can she use ConvertKit to measure how her emails are doing? Darcy’s website is https://redcaperevolution.com/. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Produce Podcast Transcripts? Sep 07, 2017

Brad has a question about podcasting. Should he create transcripts, what are the benefits, and how would he go about creating them? In this episode I recommend http://rev.com, a great transcription service. Do you have a question about podcasts? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Post Content During Holidays? Sep 06, 2017

Today’s question comes from Jeff. Should he post content on his site during holiday weeks? Jeff's site is http://newmiddleclassdad.com. Do you have a question about online content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Generate Leads for My Business? Sep 05, 2017

Nicholas has a question about lead generating and lead sources. He’s found that it’s costly to purchase leads—what other ways can he generate leads for his business? Do you have a question about lead generating? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Keep My Website Alive after I Pass Away? Sep 04, 2017

Today’s question comes from Joey, about something that isn't discussed very much: what happens to your website after you pass away? Do you have a question about websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s the Best Way to Record Call Audio? Sep 01, 2017

Today’s question comes from Steve. He started a blog with his daughter called http://Catemix.com. She wants to interview people in the music mixing industry; what tool can she use to record both sides of the call audio? The resources I discuss in this episode are TapeACall (https://www.tapeacall.com/), Zoom (https://zoom.us), Call Recorder for Mac by Ecamm (http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/), and Pamela for Skype (http://www.pamela.biz/). Do you have a question about recording call audio? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are Virtual Summits Still Viable? Aug 31, 2017

Kate has a question about virtual summits: In 2015-16 they were all the rage—are virtual summits still viable, or are they overplayed and overdone? You can find Kate online at https://katedoster.com. Do you have a question about virtual summits? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Email List Without Over-Promoting? Aug 30, 2017

Today’s question comes from Will: How can he grow his email list without being overly promotional? In this episode I mention my 100 Email Challenge, a free, three-day challenge to help you build an email list of 100 subscribers. Check it out at http://100emails.com. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Your Top Resources for Building a New Website? Aug 29, 2017

Alana has a question about getting started. She’s building a new website and wants to get it finished in the next six months. What are the top resources that she should be using? A resource that I recommend using to get started is Leadpages, http://askpat.com/leadpages, which helps users build beautiful landing pages. I also recommend ConvertKit, http://askpat.com/convertkit, an easy to use email marketing platform. [Full Disclosure: I'm a compensated advisor and an affiliate for Leadpages and ConvertKit.] Do you have a question about websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Expand My Online Community? Aug 28, 2017

Miha has a question about his online community. He doesn’t have a big advertising budget, but he wants to expand his community. How can he grow the reach of his website? You can visit Miha’s website at https://failuresanonymous.com/. Do you have a question about community growth? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Engage with People Who Buy My Book on Amazon? Aug 25, 2017

Today’s question comes from Byron: How can he optimize or maximize marketing for a book on Amazon? What service could he use to manage the post-sale follow up? Byron’s site is https://bmxteacher.wordpress.com. Do you have a question about marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Can’t Find an Audience for My Passion; How Do I Move On? Aug 24, 2017

David has a question about idea validation. He can’t seem to find an audience for his idea, even though he’s very passionate about it. How does he move on? Do you have a question about idea validation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Would You Change Anything in Will It Fly? Aug 23, 2017

Today, Bryce asks if, having been through online course-making, I would change anything in Will It Fly? Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I No Longer Work in My Niche; Should I Keep Its Website? Aug 22, 2017

Today’s question comes from Billy. Should he continue blogging on his website related to his previous career, or should he move on to his new passion related to blogging an online business? How did Pat transition from Green Exam Academy to SPI? Billy’s website is https://www.smartpinoyblogger.com/. Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Set Up My Homepage? Aug 21, 2017

Ian has a question about his website. How should he set up his website’s navigation? What’s the first thing his guests should see on the homepage? Ian’s website is http://www.nextlevelguy.com/. Do you have a question about websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do Shorter Emails Work Better? Aug 18, 2017

Scott has a question about email marketing. He noticed that my emails seem to have gotten shorter recently; is this intentional? Do shorter emails work better? In this episode I mention my free email challenge, http://100Emails.com. Sign up and learn strategies that will take you from 0 to 100 emails in 72 hours. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Content Should Be on My Site? Aug 17, 2017

Steve is starting a new blog and wants to know, how much content is enough? How can he find the right balance between too much and too little? Do you have a question about content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is the Best Way to Outsource Content? Aug 16, 2017

Today’s question comes from Kristen, who asks: What is the best way to outsource content? Kristen's site is http://bestbeachdays.com. Do you have a question about content management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Expand My Niche into a General Industry? Aug 15, 2017

Today’s question comes from Stephen. He has a successful niche site, but wonders, should reformat his content to also serve a more general industry? How would he do so? Stephen’s websites are http://www.scoopschool.com/ and http://insideicecream.com. Do you have a question about niche websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Platform Should I Use for My Online Course? Aug 14, 2017

Jamie has a question about online content. He wants to teach other teachers how to create resources for sites like Teachers Pay Teachers. What platform and/or strategy should he use? In this episode I recommend Zoom, https://zoom.us, an easy to use tool for online summits. For online courses, I recommend Teachable, http://askpat.com/teachable. [Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive compensation if you purchase through this link.] Do you have a question about online content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Maintain Connections with Your Audience? Aug 11, 2017

Today’s question comes from Glen, who asks: How do you maintain a relationship with your audience members? What is it about people who reach out to you the first time that grabs your attention? Glen’s website is https://gaps.com/. Do you have a question about audience engagement? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Co-Host a Podcast; How Do I Drive Traffic to My Own Site? Aug 10, 2017

Sarah has a question about podcasts. She co-hosts a podcast with a friend. The trouble is that her friend hosts the podcast on her own SoundCloud account, rather than Sarah’s. How can Sarah maximize traction from the podcast and bring it back to her business? Sarah’s website is https://thefreelancenaturopath.com/. In this episode I mention https://lastpass.com and https://1password.com, great tools for password sharing with your team or business partner. Do you have a question about podcasts? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Did You Use Teachable for Smart From Scratch? Aug 09, 2017

Jason and his wife, Chelsea, are starting their first online course. What was the process of choosing Teachable for Smart From Scratch? Jason and Chelsea’s blog can be found at http://www.jasonandchelsea.com/. In this episode I recommend Teachable, a great site for hosting courses. Check them out at http://askpat.com/teachable. [Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive compensation if you purchase through this link.] Do you have a question about online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What App Do You Recommend for Creating Live Streams? Aug 08, 2017

Madhava works for a yoga studio in Australia, and his studio has just started to use live streaming to reach out to more people. What live streaming app does Pat use? In this episode, I talk about BeLive.TV (https://BeLive.tv), Livestream.com (http://livestream.com), and the folks at Live Streaming Pros (https://livestreamingpros.com/). Do you have a question about live streaming? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Edit Old Articles? Aug 07, 2017

Today’s question comes from William. He has some articles that drive traffic to his site, and would like to go back and add information to them. But he’s concerned that by altering the articles, Google will re-rank the page. Is there a strategy for editing this content? William’s website is http://fitness4backpain.com. In this episode I mention Episode 200 of The Smart Passive Income Podcast: How Deleting a Third of Your Content Can Triple Your Traffic—How to Do a Content Audit with Todd Tresidder. http://smartpassiveincome.com/session200. Do you have a question about content management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Monetize My Blog or Keep It a Hobby? Aug 04, 2017

Jeanette has had a music blog for a number of years. Should she keep trying to monetize it or keep it as a side hobby? Jeanette’s music blog is http://eatsleepbreathemusic.com/. Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Need to Pay Experts to Speak in My Virtual Summit? Aug 03, 2017

Alexa has a question about online summits or conferences. If she facilitates conversations between experts in her field, does she need to pay those experts? How does she go about that? Alexa’s website is http://girlinhealing.com/. In this episode I mention Episode 151 of The SPI Podcast: https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/how-to-put-on-a-virtual-conference/. I recommend it, because it tells you exactly how to put on a successful and profitable virtual conference. Do you have a question about virtual summits? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Provide Services in My Field without Certification? Aug 02, 2017

Today’s question comes from Joe. If he doesn’t have accreditation in an area, can he still provide services and create content in that area? Joe's website is https://joe.gg/. Do you have a question about content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Create My Course or Build My List First? Aug 01, 2017

Amy has started to build her online business, and is working on an online vocal course for adult singers. But she’s wondering what she should do first. Should she create her content and course first, or focus on building her following? Amy's site is https://www.revealmyvoice.com/. In this episode I mention my free 72-hour email list-building challenge, http://100emails.com. Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Address People Who Think Passive Income Is Easy? Jul 31, 2017

Jane has a question today. She is bothered by people who think she puts no work into making passive income. How does she deal with people who think she’s getting something for nothing? Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Your Thoughts on Creating a Minimum Viable Product? Jul 28, 2017

Today, Will has a question: What are my thoughts on creating a minimum viable product? Will’s site is http://willyoulaugh.com. Do you have a question about ? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Reboot Your Business If You Lose Everything? Jul 27, 2017

Today, Zan has a question: what would I do to reboot my online business if I lost everything today? Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Tools Did You Use to Build Your Site? Jul 26, 2017

Niels is a fourteen-year-old entrepreneur from Germany who asks: What tools were used to build the Smart Passive Income website? Do you have a question about website building? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Automate Instagram Following from My Email List? Jul 25, 2017

Today’s question comes from Parker, who asks how he can automatically follow subscribers to his email list. Is this possible, specifically for Instagram? Parker’s website is http://meetnomo.com/. Do you have a question about email lists? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Ask My Audience What They Need? Jul 24, 2017

Today’s question comes from Angie. How does she ask her audience engaging questions so she can find out what they most need? What are some good examples? Angie’s site is http://proclaimtruth.com. Do you have a question about audience engagement? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Should I Monetize My Podcast? Where Do I Find Sponsors? Jul 21, 2017

Today, Denaye has a question about podcasting. Her podcast has grown much faster than she anticipated. At what point should she start seeking sponsorships, and where should she look for them? Denaye's website is http://www.simplefamilies.com/. In this episode, I mention https://www.patreon.com/, a website that helps you get paid for your podcast content. You can hear my interview with Patreon founder Jack Conte on The Smart Passive Income Podcast at https://smartpassiveincome.com/session188. My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, is open. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to enroll. You can also choose to enroll in a 2-day, in-person course with me in San Diego this September. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Decide What Format Is Best for Serving My Audience? Jul 20, 2017

On today’s episode, Michael has a question about serving his audience. He is a pastor and a trainer, and wants to help serve his pastor friends who are out of shape. Should he start a podcast, video course, ebook, membership site, or all of the above? My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, is open. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to enroll. You can also choose to enroll in a two-day, in-person course with me in San Diego this September. Do you have a question about audience engagement? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is The Key to Podcast Success? Jul 19, 2017

On today’s episode, Win has a question about podcasts. What is the key to success on a podcast? Download numbers? Featured interviews? You can find Win’s podcast, Butterflies of Wisdom, at http://butterfliesofwisdom.weebly.com/. My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, is open. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to enroll. You can also choose to enroll in a two-day, in-person course with me in San Diego this September. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Schedule a Second Podcast around My First? Jul 18, 2017

Today’s question comes from Stephane. He has a photography podcast, but wants to add a business podcast to his offerings as well. Should he alternate weeks to accommodate the new podcast, or should he start releasing an episode of each every week? Stephane’s website is http://bazinphotography.com/. My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, is open. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to enroll. You can also choose to enroll in a two-day, in-person course with me in San Diego this September. Do you have a question about podcasts? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Your Top Confidence Tips? Jul 17, 2017

Today, Bree has a question about confidence. What are three tips for having the confidence to do the things you are afraid of? Bree’s website is http://breearmstrong.com/. My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, launches today! Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to enroll. You can also choose to enroll in a 2-day, in-person course with me in San Diego this September. Do you have a question about personal growth? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Find An Audience for My Niche? Jul 14, 2017

Today, Michelle has a question about niche websites. Her niche is very specific. Where does she find out where her target audience is hanging out? Where does she look in addition to Facebook? Michelle’s website is https://collegeswimmingguide.com/. Michelle talks about my lessons on http://NicheSiteDuel.com, and you can also find them in my book Will It Fly? My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, launches on Monday, July 17. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to sign up for the waitlist. Do you have a question about niche websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Take a Break from Creating Content to Grow My List? Jul 13, 2017

Today, James has a question about websites. He has twenty or so articles on his site, but they haven’t received much love. Should he take a break and focus on growing his email list? You can find James’ site at http://godspeeddevelopment.com. In this episode I mention Session 263 of The Smart Passive Income Podcast, a great episode about laddering up in your business https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/how-to-build-a-7-figure-business/. I also mention Session 145 of The Smart Passive Income Podcast, about becoming a contributing writer on large media sites https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/how-to-become-a-contributing-writer-on-large-media-sites-kimanzi-constable/. My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, launches on July 17. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to sign up for the waitlist. Do you have a question about websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Handle Negativity Towards Affiliate Marketing? Jul 12, 2017

Today’s question comes from Jackie. She’s received negative reactions from friends and family towards the affiliate marketing she does. How should she handle the negativity? Jackie’s website is http://eslspeaking.org/. In this episode I mention the online community at http://smartpassiveincome.com/community, a great resource for online business support. Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Feedback for My Podcast? Jul 11, 2017

Today’s question comes from Gerald. He has a podcast, which he enjoys doing, but he’s having a difficult time soliciting feedback. How can he get feedback for his podcast? You can find Gerald’s podcast at https://twopeasonapodcast.podbean.com/. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do You Use SamCart with Teachable? Jul 10, 2017

Today, Stephen asks: Why do you use SamCart for enrollment and collecting payments for Teachable, rather than its native integration with PayPal or Stripe? In this episode I mention SamCart (http://askpat.com/samcart) and Teachable (http://askpat.com/teachable), which I use for selling my online courses. My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, launches on July 17. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to sign up for the waitlist. Do you have a question about ecommerce? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Would You Rather Work with a Team or Be a Solopreneur? Jul 07, 2017

Today, Borja asks: If you could make the same amount of money, would you rather continue working with a team or would you rather be an solopreneur? Borja blogs online at http://BorjaGiron.com. My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, launches on July 17. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to sign up for the waitlist. Do you have a question about entrepreneurship? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Present Older Podcast Episodes to New Listeners? Jul 06, 2017

Today’s question comes from Kurt, who asks: How do I get older, valuable episodes of my podcast in front of new listeners? You can find Kurt’s website at https://leadinglds.org/. In this episode I mention https://MeetEdgar.com and https://coschedule.com—great resources for posting older podcast episodes on social media. Do you have a question about podcasts? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Collaborate with Other Entrepreneurs in My Niche? Jul 05, 2017

Today, Claire has a question about collaboration. She has a podcast and wants to collaborate with other entrepreneurs in her niche to serve their shared audience. How can she do so in a way that’s positive for both parties? You can find her podcast at https://www.thecatholicfeministpodcast.com/. My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, launches in a couple of weeks. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to sign up for the waitlist. Do you have a question about collaboration? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Update Your Website with No Transition Time? Jul 04, 2017

Today’s question comes from Jeanette who is about to revitalize her website. How was SmartPassiveIncome.com redone with no transition time whatsoever? Jeanette’s site is http://horrormade.com. Do you have a question about websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Many Downloads Do I Need for Podcast Sponsorship? Jul 03, 2017

Jordan has a question about podcasting today. How many downloads does he need in order to entice potential sponsors? My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, launches in a couple of weeks. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to sign up for the waitlist. Do you have a question about podcasts? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Research What My Audience Needs? Jun 30, 2017

Today’s question comes from Anna, who asks: How can I research what my audience needs? She hasn’t had much luck with this on Facebook groups: What suggestions can I give her? In this episode I mention http://answerthepublic.com/, a great resource for determining what content to create for your blog or website. Do you have a question about content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Help People Quit Social Media; Is Using It Hypocritical? Jun 29, 2017

Today’s question comes from Muj, who wants to help people quit or control their social media use. Is it hypocritical for him to use social media to acquire views for his site? Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. And, if you want to ask me a question live, you can at 1:30 PM Pacific on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smartpassiveincome/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Post Full Video Takes or Edit out My Mistakes? Jun 28, 2017

Today, Michael has a question about video content. Should he edit multiple takes together or use full, unedited takes for the sake of authenticity? Michael’s site is http://stillfeel21.com. In this episode I mention Philip DeFranco, a blogger and YouTube personality whose editing style I recommend checking out. https://www.youtube.com/user/sxephil. My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, launches in a couple of weeks. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to sign up for the waitlist. Do you have a question about content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Split Services by Site? How Do I Productize Them? Jun 27, 2017

Manv is a translator, editor, and copywriter. Should he create separate websites for his services, even though he’s been trying to see himself as a brand? How can he transform these very active tasks into sources of passive income? You can find Manv online at http://manvgomez.com. In this episode, I mention Episode 158 of The Smart Passive Income Podcast: How to Productize Your Service-Based Business, https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/how-to-productize-your-service-based-business/. My brand-new course, Power-Up Podcasting, launches in a couple of weeks. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to sign up for the waitlist. Do you have a question about websites or productization? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Have Any Advice for First-Time Conference Goers? Jun 26, 2017

Today’s question comes from Andre, who’s attending his first media conference this year. Does Pat have advice for making the most out of conferences? You can find Andre’s site online at http://asmallinvestment.com. Do you have a question about conferences? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. And, if you want to ask me a question live, you can at 1:30 PM Pacific on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smartpassiveincome/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Length and Frequency Is Optimal for My Podcast? Jun 23, 2017

Today, Maarten has a question about podcasts. What are the pros and cons of having a podcast in the six to ten minute range? Is there an advantage for growth with a more frequently published podcast? You can find Maarten’s website at http://www.passivebody.com/. Do you have a question about podcasts? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Find an Audience for My Niche? Jun 22, 2017

Today, Andy has a question about building his audience. He’s starting a website about retirement, targeted at millennials. How can he find groups of people who are interested in his niche? Do you have a question about building an audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Move My In-Person Business Online? Jun 21, 2017

Today’s question comes from Kevin. His business is mostly an in-person service. Does Pat have any tips or suggestions for producing products online? In this episode, I recommend https://zoom.us for recording video calls. Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much of My Web Traffic Should Be Return Visitors? Jun 20, 2017

Today, Joseph has a question about getting return visitors to his website. What percentage of his traffic should be returning visitors, and what can he do to grow that number? You can find Joseph’s website at http://www.jmlalonde.com/ Do you have a question about online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Secure My Online Course? Jun 19, 2017

Today’s question comes from Ron, who wants to know how he can secure his online course so that it’s not shared freely. Do you have a question about online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Hard Was It to Learn Internet Marketing on Your Own? Jun 16, 2017

Today, Tina asks: How difficult was it to learn internet marketing on your own? What advice would you give to a college grad interested in generating passive income online? In today’s episode I mention my new course, Power-Up Podcasting. Sign up for the waitlist at http://poweruppodcasting.com Do you have a question about entrepreneurship? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Give My Audience Value without Overdelivering? Jun 15, 2017

Today, William has a question about the content he provides to his audience. How can he provide the right amount of value without giving too much information? How does he find that balance? Williams site is http://fitness4backpain.com/ In today’s episode I mention my new course, Power-Up Podcasting. Sign up for the waitlist at http://poweruppodcasting.com Do you have a question about content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Far in Advance Do You Plan Your Content? Jun 14, 2017

Today’s question comes from Mark, who asks, how far in advance do you plan your content? You can find Mark’s websites https://podcastwebsites.com/ and http://excellence-expected.com. In this episode I mention my course, Power-Up Podcasting, which launches next month. Check it out at http://poweruppodcasting.com Do you have a question about content management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting https://designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Transparent Should I Be With Retailers? Jun 13, 2017

Today’s question comes from Vicki, who has a small company called Tiny Chipmunk. She has a blog for her business which is very open and honest about how she’s created her company. She’s recently started to create relationships with retailers and wants to know, how open should she be about the fact that it’s just her behind her company? You can find Vicki’s site at http://tinychipmunk.com Do you have a question about growth or business relationships? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Stay Motivated Outside of My Day Job? Jun 12, 2017

Today’s question comes from Jeremy. He has a day job and wants to know how he can keep himself motivated to create a successful business during his time off? Do you have a question about work-life balance? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Manage a Lot of Social Media Replies? Jun 09, 2017

Today, Stephen asks for advice about answering comments and questions from his followers. He has grown to a point in his business where it would be a full-time job to reply to everyone. What is the best plan of action for dealing with all of these comments and questions? Find Stephen online at http://www.fulltimefba.com/ Do you have a question about public relations? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Identify My YouTube Audience? Jun 08, 2017

Today’s question is from Jim, who asks for advice on identifying his audience on YouTube. Are there any methods, other than speaking to them directly on YouTube, of finding out who they are and what their interests are? In this episode I mention https://convertkit.com/, a great email marketing tool for professional bloggers. I also talk about https://leadpages.net, a great resource for building landing pages for your website. Do you have a question about YouTube? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. There are a few days left in the open-enrollment period for Pat's course, Smart From Scratch. Prices will go up, so get it while it's hot at http://smartfromscratch.com. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Manage More Than One Website or Podcast? Jun 07, 2017

Today’s question is from Kelly, who asks how to manage more than one website or podcast. Are there any tools for managing multiple websites or podcasts? You can find Kelly’s website at http://wirededucator.com/ and http://kellycroy.com/. In this episode I mention http://podcastingtutorial.com, my guide to getting set up with your own podcast. I also talk about https://coschedule.com/, a fantastic tool that I and my team use for managing content on different platforms and delegating tasks. Do you have a question about website or podcast management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Update the Intro on Old Podcast Episodes? Jun 06, 2017

Today, Tammy has a question about podcasts. She’s recently made some changes to her episodes, like changing the intro. Should she go back and edit her old episodes to sound like the new ones? Tammy’s website is https://localsmallbusinesscoach.com/. In this episode, I mention that my course, Smart from Scratch, just reopened. Get lifetime access for $197 at http://smartfromscratch.com Do you have a question about podcasts? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Vistaprint, a great resource for printing custom designs, from business cards to teeshirts. Visit https://vistaprint.com and enter "Pat" at checkout to get 500 business cards for 50 percent off. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Better to Have People Find Your Email List Organically or to Use Pop-Ups? Jun 05, 2017

Today’s question comes from Steve, who has a question about email lists. Is it better to have people find your email list organically, or to use a pop-up to help them find it? You can find Steve’s site on the web at http://www.sheruns.com/ My new course, Smart From Scratch, just opened enrollment. Prices will go up soon, so get in early at http://www.smartfromscratch.com. Do you have a question about email lists? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Market My Podcast to Listeners Who Don’t Know What a Podcast Is? Jun 02, 2017

On today’s episode, Liz asks: How do I market my podcast to listeners who don’t know what a podcast is? In this episode I mention https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/screenflow, or https://www.Camtasia.com if you're on a PC, tools for recording your computer screen for walkthroughs or tutorials. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Next week is open enrollment for Pat's course, Smart From Scratch. Visit http://www.smartfromscratch.com to enroll, or join the waitlist ahead of time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Any Advice on Working at Home When My Kids Are in the House? Jun 01, 2017

On today’s episode, Chad asks for some advice on working at home when his kids are in the house. You can find Chad’s site at http://dontdietdiet.com/. Next week is open enrollment for Pat's course, Smart From Scratch. Visit SmartFromScratch.com to enroll, or join the waitlist ahead of time. Do you have a question about working from home? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting http://www.designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Should I Charge for a Kindle Ebook on Amazon? May 31, 2017

Today’s question comes from Cathy, who wants to know how much to charge for a Kindle ebook on Amazon. You can find Cathy on the web at https://www.cathymazak.com/ In this episode I recommend http://www.acx.com/, a resource and marketplace for producing audiobooks. Do you have a question about ebooks? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Deal with the Pressure of My Growing Business? May 30, 2017

Today’s question comes from Hallie, who asks for some advice on dealing with the pressures of growing as a business. You can find Hallie on the web at http://speechtimefun.com/about/ Do you have a question about business growth? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Strategies Can I Use to Source Feedback for My Ebook? May 29, 2017

Andrew’s question is featured today. He’s writing an ebook and wants to know what strategies Pat used to get feedback for his book, Will It Fly? You can find Andrew on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ww4me. In this episode I refer to Episode 198 of The Smart Passive Income Podcast: "Building a Book Launch Street Team." SmartPassiveIncome.com/session198 Do you have a question about ebooks or idea validation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Reference Past Episodes Easily & How Do I Handle Haters on My YouTube Channel? May 26, 2017

On today’s episode, Chapin has two questions: How does Pat reference past episodes so effortlessly and how should Chapin deal with the haters on his YouTube channel? You can find Chapin on the web at http://www.surfprotechniques.com/ and you can find his podcast, Misfits & Rejects, here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-rejects-spt/id1080207746?mt=2. On June 5th I’ll open enrollment for my course Smart from Scratch. Sign up at http://SmartFromScratch.com. Do you have a question about managing comments on your media channel? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting http://www.designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Do You Do with Your Profits? Reinvest in Your Business? SEO? Hiring? May 25, 2017

Today's question comes from Jackie who wants some advice on reinvesting her profits in her business. Find Jackie’s business on the web at http://eslspeaking.org/ Do you have a question about reinvesting in your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It a Good Idea to Start a Business if There Is No Competition at All? May 24, 2017

Today's question comes from Taher, who asks, “Is it a good idea to start a business if there is almost no competition at all?” Do you have a question about starting a business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Decide What Gets Deleted During a Content Audit? May 23, 2017

Today’s question comes from Justin, who has a question about what to delete during a content audit. He asks where he should draw the line on a piece of content to be deleted, based on views? How does he make that decision without removing a piece of content that could be really valuable? Find Justin’s site at https://logicalharmony.net/ In this episode, I mention episode 200 of The Smart Passive Income Podcast, where my friend Todd Tresidder gives a step-by step walkthrough of how to do a content audit. Listen here: https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/how-to-do-a-content-audit-with-todd-tresidder/ On June 5th I’ll open enrollment for my course Smart from Scratch. Sign up at http://smartfromscratch.com. – this is your last chance to get it at the current price point! Do you have a question about content audits? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. And, if you want to ask me a question live, you can at 1:30 PM Pacific on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smartpassiveincome/. Today's sponsor is Vistaprint, a great resource for printing custom designs, from business cards to t-shirts. Visit https://vistaprint.com and enter "Pat" at checkout to get 500 business cards for 50 percent off. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Serve Two Specific Audience Segments for My Business? May 22, 2017

Today's question comes from James, who has a question about the strategy behind serving different clients. Should he create two landing pages to target each audience? What about two separate websites for each specific audience segment? Do you have a question about serving your specific audience needs? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Find the Right Work-Life Balance if You Work at Home? May 19, 2017

Today's question comes from Chris, who has a question about separating family and work when you work from home. How do you find the time for your work and the time for your family? What are some tips to make sure the two are separate? How do you find the right balance, your work-life balance, between family and work? Do you have a question about balancing work and life? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting http://www.designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Have Any Advice for Taking Constructive Criticism? May 18, 2017

Today's question comes from Josh, who has a question about taking constructive criticism. Where does he draw the line between implementing the suggestions of his audience and not? How should he handle receiving criticism? Do I go to anyone specifically for constructive criticism? In this episode, I mention that I’m working on a new podcasting course right now. 165 beta students have already gone through the podcasting course, and they’re loving it! If you want to check that out and sign up for the waitlist today, you can at http://PowerUpPodcasting.com. I also mention Peek User Testing. Learn more at http://Peek.UserTesting.com. Do you have a question about taking constructive criticism? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting http://www.designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Apply the Popularity of One Podcast Episode to My Other Episodes? May 17, 2017

Today's question comes from Alexander, who has a question about how to take the popularity of one podcast episode and apply to other, less popular podcast episodes. How can he get more people to listen to his other podcast episodes? What can he do to grow his podcast audience? Alexander’s website is http://ModernDaySuperhero.com. In this episode, I mention that I’m working on a secret podcasting course right now. If you want to check that out and sign up for the waitlist today, you can at http://PowerUpPodcasting.com. Do you have a question about growing your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their next design by visiting http://www.designcrowd.com/askpat and entering the promo code "AskPat". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Project Management Tool Do You Recommend for Collaboration? May 16, 2017

Today's question comes from Leah, who has a question about collaborating on a project with others. What resources can she use to collaborate on the project? Is there a specific collaboration or project management tool that you recommend? In this episode, I mention Slack (http://Slack.com), the collaboration and project management tool that I love and use with my team. Do you have a question about project management tools? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Long Should It Take to Produce My Podcast Episodes? May 15, 2017

Today's question comes from Rob, who has a question about how long it should take to edit each individual podcast episode. How long should he spend on podcast editing? Is there a way to improve efficiency and productivity for his podcast production? Can he decrease the amount of time spent on podcast editing while maintaining excellence? Rob’s website is http://YouthBaseballEdge.com. In this episode, I mention the $1,000 a day giveaway, which I’ll be dropping hints for in the episodes leading up to episode 900, so keep your ears open for that! Do you have a question about podcast production? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.FreshBooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Your Tips for Using News and Media Icons for Social Proof? May 12, 2017

Today's question comes from Kelly, who has a question about using news and press icons. Where do you get those press or media icons, such as The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and The New York Times? Do you make press logos or icons yourself? Kelly’s website is http://WiredEducator.com. In this episode, I mention PicMonkey and Canva, which are both websites where you can create and design your own images. Learn more at http://PicMonkey.com and http://Canva.com. Do you have a question about using news and media icons for social proof? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Should I Start to Create My Own Video Studio at Home? May 11, 2017

Today's question comes from Eric, who has a question about building his own video studio at home. Where should he start? What kind of camera should I pick up for my in-home video studio? What microphone and sound equipment do you recommend? What about video lighting equipment? Eric’s website is http://StartupsWithNoCode.com. In this episode, I mention that starting in AskPat episode 900, I will be dropping in hints and clues about how you can win money leading into episode 1,000! I also mention a resource, Caleb Wojcik’s http://DIYVideoGuy.com, a website that will help create your own video setup. I also mention Rode’s SmartLav mic, which you can check out at http://SmartLav.com. Do you have a question about creating your own video studio? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

People Are Using My Images Without Giving Me Credit. What Can I Do? May 10, 2017

Today's question comes from Christine, who has a question about people using her images online without giving credit. Is it too much to ask that people properly credit her images? What can she do to prevent people from using her images without her permission or credit? Christine’s website is http://LittleHouseOntheCorner.com. Do you have a question about people using your content without your permission? Record it at http://www.askpat.com. Today's sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Validate My YouTube Channel? May 09, 2017

Today's question comes from Ron, who has a question about validating his YouTube channel. To start, who should he reach out to for video validation? How can he validate his YouTube channel? How can he get viewers to purchase the toys that his videos advertise? How can create videos to better reach his target audience? Ron’s website is http://ScienceToy.org. In this episode, we mention Will It Fly?, my book that will help you validate your business idea. You can pick up a copy at http://WillItFlyBook.com. Do you have a question about validating your videos? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Inventory Management Tool Do You Recommend? May 08, 2017

Today's question comes from Ash, who has a question about keeping a physical product inventory. How can I create a central inventory for my physical products? What are some effective ways to keep track of my inventory? What inventory management platform do you recommend? Ash’s website is at http://ArmenianKidsClub.com. In this episode, I mention http://ShipStation.com, a great website to help manage your inventory. Do you have a question about inventory management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Promote My YouTube Channel on My Website? May 05, 2017

Today's question comes from John, who has a question about promoting his YouTube channel. Should he promote his YouTube channel on his website? Should he keep his website and YouTube channel separate? What are some YouTube promotion tips? In this episode, I mention AskPat Live, which you can join every Friday at 1:30 p.m. PT on my Facebook page: http://Facebook.com/smartpassiveincome. Do you have a question about promoting your YouTube channel? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Sharing Personal Information with My Audience? May 04, 2017

Today's question comes from Darcie, who has a question about building her email list. How can she bring attention to her email list? What is the value of sharing personal information as an entrepreneur? What are the pros and cons of sharing personal information with her audience? Why does sharing personal information matter? Darcie’s website is at http://ErgonomicHelp.com. Do you have a question about sharing personal information with your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Become More Comfortable in Public Speaking or in Front of a Camera? May 03, 2017

Today's question comes from Brandon, who has a question about being comfortable and natural on camera. What are some public speaking tips? How can he become more comfortable in front of a camera? Brandon is the owner of Vegetable, a farm-to-food truck business. Do you have a question about public speaking or speaking in front of a camera? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Use Live Video to Answer Questions from My Audience? May 02, 2017

Today's question comes from Brandon, who has a question about live video. What live video platforms should he experiment with? Should he use live video to answer questions from his audience? Should he use Facebook Live? Brandon’s website is http://StudentLoansGuy.com. In this episode, I mention Zoom and Go To Meeting, both of which are platforms you can use to engage with your audience live. Check out http://Zoom.us and http://GoToMeeting.com. Do you have a question about live video? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Calls to Action Should I Use to Convert Podcast Listeners to Subscribers? May 01, 2017

Today's question comes from Cesar, who has a question about creating calls to action to convert podcast listeners to subscribers. How do you craft the perfect call to action? What calls to action should I use to acquire more email subscribers? In this episode, I mention Amy Porterfield’s podcast, Online Marketing Made Easy at AmyPorterfield.com/amy-porterfield-podcast. I also mention Power-Up Podcasting, my new online course which will be launching soon at http://PowerUpPodcasting.com. Join the waitlist today. Do you have a question about creating calls to action? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Effectively and Concisely Answer Questions from My Audience? Apr 28, 2017

Today's question comes from Tammy, who has a question about answering questions from her audience. What system should she use to answer questions from her audience? What are some tips to make sure her answers are natural and genuine? How should she organize her answers and her notes as she answers her audience? Tammy’s podcast is the Local Small Business Coach Podcast. In this episode, I mention Speakpipe, a great tool you can use to answer questions from your audience. Check that out at http://Speakpipe.com. I also mention AskPat Live, which I do most every Friday at 1:30 p.m. PT over on my Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/SmartPassiveIncome. See you there! Use the hashtag #AskPat854 if you want a free AskPat t-shirt. We’ll pick a winner randomly. Thanks! Make sure to tag @PatFlynn on Twitter. Do you have a question about asking audience questions effectively? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are the Best Practices for Submitting My Podcast to iTunes? Apr 27, 2017

Today's question comes from Jason, who has a question about submitting a podcast to iTunes. Should he submit his podcast to iTunes now? Should he wait to submit his show when he has multiple episodes? Should he launch with just one episode? Is there a minimum or maximum number of episodes he needs before submitting to iTunes? Dave’s podcast is Solomon’s Porch Podcast. In this episode, I mention AskPat Live, which you can join every Friday at 1:30 p.m. PT at http://Facebook.com/SmartPassiveIncome. Do you have a question about submitting your podcast to iTunes? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Five Business Lessons You’ve Picked Up from The Walking Dead? Apr 26, 2017

Today's question comes from Maverick, who has a question about business tips from The Walking Dead television show. What are five business lessons I have picked up from watching The Walking Dead? Maverick’s website is at http://HellIsFull.net. On this episode, I mention The Walking Dead Story Sync. Check it out at http://AMC.com/shows/the-walking-dead/story-sync/. I also mention my new online course, Smart From Scratch. Join the waitlist at http://SmartFromScratch.com. Do you have a question about business tips, from The Walking Dead or elsewhere within the zombie apocalypse? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s the Best Follow-Up Email Etiquette? Apr 25, 2017

Today's question comes from Adam, who has a question about following up after his initial email. How should he reach out to people for potential partnerships or after he’s pitched an idea? How long should he wait to send a follow-up email? What’s the email follow-up etiquette? Are there other places where he can reach out to people, other than email? In this episode, I mention that my course, Smart From Scratch, will be launching again to the public in June. Smart From Scratch helps you find a winning business idea and potentially find your first customer. Sign up for the waitlist at http://SmartFromScratch.com. Do you have a question about follow-up emails and the email etiquette you should follow? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Use an External Hard Drive to Back Up My Podcast Content Storage? Apr 24, 2017

Today's question comes from Jason, who has a question about podcast content storage. Should he store his podcast content online? What about using an external hard drive as backup storage? Is there another place to store his podcast content on his podcast host, such as SoundCloud or Libsyn? Jason’s podcast is the Solomon’s Porch Podcast. Do you have a question about podcast content storage? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Organize and Categorize My Blog Post Tags? Apr 21, 2017

Today's question comes from Brad, who has a question about blog categories and blog post tagging. Should he re-categorize his blog posts? What should he do about blog post tags? How should he organize the tags on his blog? what’s the benefit of blog post reorganizing and blog post tag categorization? Brad’s website is at http://BradHobbs.com. In this episode, I mention http://TopRankBlog.com, a great SEO website you can check out. I also mention Todd Tresidder, who talks to me about content auditing on Smart Passive Income Podcast Session #200. You can listen to that at http://SmartPassiveIncome.com/session200. Do you have a question about blog post tagging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Don’t You Use YouTube Video Annotations? Apr 20, 2017

Today's question comes from Vegard, who has a question about annotations for YouTube videos. Why don’t I use a lot of annotations on YouTube videos for Smart Passive Income? What are some alternatives to YouTube annotations? What’s working right now for YouTube video add-ons? How does he utilize YouTube cards and end screens? In this episode, I mention that, starting in May, annotations on YouTube videos will go away, which means you won’t be able to add annotations going forward. I also mention my AskPat Live, which is held every Friday at 1:30pm PT at Facebook.com/SmartPassiveIncome. See you there! Do you have a question about YouTube video annotation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Boost Ebook Sales? Apr 19, 2017

Today's question comes from Jules, who has a question about boosting ebook sales. What can she do to selling more ebooks? Should she revise the book and relaunch it? Should she reformat the ebook to improve sales? Should she add her book to Amazon’s Kindle service? What are some ebook marketing strategies she can use to get more book sales? Jules’s website is at http://HelloImHandmade.com. In this episode, we mention my book, Will It Fly? Learn more at http://WillItFlyBook.com. Do you have a question about improve your ebook sales? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Possible to Rank High for Five Keywords in Search Engine Rankings? Apr 18, 2017

Today's question comes from Mike, who has a question about search engine rankings for specific keywords. Is it possible to rank high for five specific keywords? How can he be sure his website is ranking high across the country, and not just regionally? What are some strategies he can use to improve his search engine rankings for the five keywords? Should he use short-term keywords or long-term keywords? In this episode, I mention http://SEMRush.com, a neat keyword research website. I also mention http://AnswerThePublic.com, a fun website that will give you the who, what, why, and when of your keyword search terms. Do you have a question about search engine rankings and SEO? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Email List with My Email List? Apr 17, 2017

Today's question comes from Glenn, who has a question about growing his email list by using his email list. He has about 30k people on his list, so how does he continue growing his list by tapping into his audience? What are some email marketing best practices to help grow his email list? What kinds of strategies can he implement to serve his audience while growing his email list? Glenn’s website is at http://SurvivalStill.com. Do you have a question about growing your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. In this episode, I mention two contest tools you can use to grow your email list: King Sumo (KingSumo.com) and Rafflecopter (Rafflecopter.com). Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Incorporate Ecommerce Solutions Into My Website? Apr 14, 2017

Today's question comes from Michael, who has a question about incorporating ecommerce into a WordPress website. What ecommerce tools should he use on his WordPress website? How should he add ecommerce into his website? What are some ways he can take payment? In this episode, I mention my brand new course, Power Up Podcasting. It’s a podcasting course to help you level up your podcasting power. Join the waitlist at PowerUpPodcasting.com. I also mention Shopify, a very well known ecommerce platform you can check out at Shopify.com. As well as WooCommerce, another ecommerce tool you can use on your WordPress website. You can find WooCommerce at WooCommerce.com. Lastly, Stripe is another ecommerce tool I’d recommend on the show. Learn more at Stripe.com. Do you have a question about ecommerce solutions for your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is The One Thing You’ve Done Well to Make SPI Successful? Apr 13, 2017

Today's question comes from Adam, who has a question about the one thing I’ve done well in my business. Since I talk a lot about my failures in business, he’s curious about the one thing I’ve done well. What is that one thing? How can Adam take this one thing and apply it to his own business success? What can Adam learn about failure in business? If you’d like to comment on this episode, share the one thing you’ve done really well in your business. Share that on Twitter with the hashtag #AskPat843. And don’t forget to tag me on Twitter @PatFlynn. Do you have a question about what it takes to make your business a success? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Haven’t Been Able to Grow My Business. What Am I Missing? Apr 12, 2017

Today's question comes from Glenn, who has a question about growing his business. He’s doing the right things in his business and has followed my advice. What is he missing? What opportunities are there for Glenn to take advantage of for his business? Is he connecting with the right people? Glenn’s website is at http://LiveFitLean.com. Do you have a question about growing your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Use My Own Website for Podcast Hosting? Apr 11, 2017

Today's question comes from Chris, who has a question about hosting his podcast on his website. Should he host his podcast on his website? What are the pros and cons of using his website for podcast hosting? In this episode I mention Libsyn (use the code “Pat” to get your first month free) and Buzzsprout, podcast hosting providers you can start with. Learn more at Libsyn.com or Buzzsprout.com. Do you have a question about podcast hosting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. The sponsor for this episode is Vistaprint, an excellent resource for your business marketing needs. As a special to AskPat listeners, get 500 custom business cards for just $9.99 (50 percent savings!). Be sure to enter "Pat" at checkout. Learn more at http://www.vistaprint.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Premium Content Should I Give Away for Free? Apr 10, 2017

AP 0840: How Much Premium Content Should I Give Away for Free? Today's question comes from Lewis, who has a question about how much premium content he should give away on his blog. Where should he draw the line between offering free content and premium content? If he gives it all away for free, are there other opportunities to make an income from his audience? Lewis’s website is at TheFreelanceEffect.com. In this episode, we mention Upwork, a site where you can hire freelancers or offer up your services as a freelancer for hire. Go to Upwork.com to learn more. Do you have a question about premium content and free content on your blog? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I’m New to Online Business. What SPI Content Should I Focus On? Apr 07, 2017

Today's question comes from Mike, who has a question about whether or not the Smart Passive Income podcast archive is still relevant. Are niche websites still relevant? What content should he focus on when he’s just starting out in online business? In this episode I mention three episodes of the Smart Podcast Income Podcast that will help you get started in your online business: SPI Session 192, SPI Session 193, and SPI Session 194. Do you have a question about starting an online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create a Podcast Intro By Myself? Apr 06, 2017

Today's question comes from Nara, who has a question about creating a podcast intro by herself. What should she do to create an audio intro for her podcast? What are the main components of a good podcast intro? Where can she find inspiration to apply to her own audio intro? In this episode, I mention my new podcasting course, which is in beta testing right now. It will be available later this year! You can find that at PowerUpPodcasting.com. Do you have a question about creating an audio intro for your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Ask My Clients for Money without Seeming Pushy? Apr 05, 2017

Today's question comes from Gianna, who has a question about how she should reach out to her audience. What is the best way to reach out to her audience without seeming too pushy or sleazy? Should she set up an email series to connect with her audience? What balance should she strike between asking for money and providing value to her audience? Gianna’s website is at FamilyFunTwinCities.com If you have something to add to the conversation, use the hashtag #AskPat 837 and mention me on Twitter.com/PatFlynn. Do you have a question about asking your audience for money? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Start a New Email List to Align with My New Blog? Apr 04, 2017

Today’s question comes from Jeanette, who has a question about starting a new email list to align with the change in direction of her blog. Should she create a new email list or use the existing email list? Does she start from scratch with the new vision for the website? What can she do to prepare her audience for the website change? Jeanette’s website is at http://craftwhack.com. Do you have a question about changing the direction of your website and your email list? Record it at AskPat.com. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to Freshbooks.com/AskPat and enter “Ask Pat” for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Figure Out What My Audience Will Pay Me For? Apr 03, 2017

Today’s question comes from Justin, who has a question about creating a product or something his audience will pay for. How can he start introducing paid content or products with the free stuff he’s already giving away? What are some cost-effective ways he can start growing his online business reach and earnings? How can he solve problems for his audience and get paid for doing it? Justin’s website is at http://logicalharmony.net. In this episode, I mention Smart From Scratch, my new online course. 500 students are already going through Smart From Scratch. Sign up for the waitlist now to be ready for the June launch. Go to SmartFromScratch.com to sign up today. I also mention Patreon, a site you can use to help grow your business along with your community. Learn more at http://patreon.com. Do you have a question about getting your audience to start paying for your services? Record it at http://AskPat.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does My Website Color Matter? Mar 31, 2017

Today's question comes from Alexander, who is planning a website for the food and website industry. Does the main color of the site matter? Is there a bad choice? Do you have a question about your website design? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm 11. Can I Start a Business? Mar 30, 2017

Today's question comes from Maya, and it's the kind I love! She asks if she is able to start a business at the age of eleven. Maya's mom's site is http://www.familyfuntwincities.com/. In this episode, I talk about EvanTubeHD (https://www.youtube.com/user/EvanTubeHD). Do you have a question about starting a business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Free Content Should I Give Away with My Online Course? Mar 29, 2017

Today’s question comes from Richard, who has a question about how much free content he should add within his online course. How much content should he give for free as a teaser for his online course? What are some ways I can show how valuable my online course is without giving it away entirely for free? Richard’s website is at AFlexibleYou.com. In this episode, I mention AskPat Live. You can check out AskPat Live every Friday at 1:30 p.m. PT at http://facebook.com/smartpassiveincome. Do you have a question about marketing your online course? Record it at http://askpat.com. Today’s sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If I Credit the Author of the Music, Can I Add Their Songs to My Podcast? Mar 28, 2017

Today’s question comes from Dave, who has a question about adding songs to his podcast. Can he add music that is not his? Even if he credits the author of the music, can he add that to his podcast? If any, what are the licensing and legal implications? What are some alternatives to adding his favorite song or band of the week to his podcast? Do you have a question about adding music to your podcast? Record it at http://askpat.com. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make the Most Out of My Content with Tutorials? Mar 27, 2017

Today’s question comes from Dan, who has a question about tutorials. Where does he start in tutorial creation? Should he first start with YouTube? Does he post that on his blog? How does he make the most out of the content he’s creating while growing his audience on YouTube and his website? Dan’s website is at TheRealDanVega.com. On this episode, I mention Rev as a neat tool for transcribing your YouTube videos. Learn more at Rev.com. I also mention two other tutorials that I’ve created, which you can find at http://podcastingtutorial.com and http://startanemaillist.com. Do you have a question about growing your audience with tutorials? Record it at http://askpat.com. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today’s episode. Go to http://ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a Teenager, How Do I Create a Niche Product for a Wider Audience? Mar 24, 2017

Today’s question comes from Muj, who has a question about creating a niche product as a teenager. How does he overcome the age obstacle? What can he do to create a niche product from the perspective of a teenager that will still be relevant for a wide audience? Should age matter? Do you have a question about creating a niche product or business? Record it at http://askpat.com. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Use Images from Google on My Website? Mar 23, 2017

Today’s question comes from Glen, who has a question about image use on his website. Can he use images from Google on his website? What are some good alternatives to iStock or other stock image websites? Are there free to use images on Google? What are the legal implications for using images from Google on his website? In this episode, I mention Flickr as good alternative to iStock. Check them out at Flickr.com. I also mention my Ultimate Guide to Finding and Using Images on Your Blog, which you can find at http://smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-find-images-blog-guide/. Find Google's Advanced Image Search at https://www.google.com/advanced_image_search. Do you have a question about image use for your website? Record it at http://askpat.com. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Create a Website to Promote My Book? Mar 22, 2017

Today’s question comes from Andre, who has a question about promoting his new book. Should he create a website for his book? What other promotion opportunities does he have? What else can he do to get the word out about his new book? How does he expand on that to help promote himself? Do you have a question about promoting your book? Record it at http://askpat.com. Today’s sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Does the SPI Pro Theme Compare to Other WordPress Themes? Mar 21, 2017

Today's question comes from Vitaliy, who has a question about the SPI Pro Theme and how it compares with other premium WordPress themes. What is the difference between the SPI Pro Theme and other WordPress themes? What are the pros and cons? In this episode, we mention the SPI Pro Theme, which you can learn more about at http://www.AskPat.com/SPITheme. I also mention that, each Friday at 1:30 p.m. PT, I host AskPat Live over at http://www.Facebook.com/SmartPassiveIncome. Do you have a question about WordPress themes or the SPI Pro theme? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Determine If My Niche Is Right for an Online Course? Mar 20, 2017

Today’s question comes from Sarah, who has a question about how she determines if her niche is a good one for an online course. How does she determine if her niche and topic are right for an online course? What can she do to drum up interest in her online course? How should she design her online course? In this episode, I mention LeadPages (https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/leadpages) as a good place to create a landing page to generate interest for your online course. I also mention Teachable (http://teachable.com) as a great tool for online course creation. Do you have a question about developing an online course? Record it at http://askpat.com. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Look For and Land Interviews for My Podcast? Mar 17, 2017

Today’s question comes from Ashley, who has a question about looking for and landing interviews for her new podcast. Where should she start in finding the right people to interview? What are some tips to reaching out to people for interviews? Since she’s new to podcasting, who should she reach out to for interviews? In this episode, I mention the calendar tool Calendly. Check it out at http://calendly.com. Do you have a question about securing people to interview for your podcast? Record it at http://askpat.com. Today’s sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Purchased an App. As a Non-Developer, How Do I Serve My Audience the App? Mar 16, 2017

Today’s question comes from Kris, who has a question about supporting and serving her audience with an app she purchased. As a non-developer, what should she do? Should she hire someone to help with the development of the app? Does she learn the software on her own? Do you have a question about serving your audience with apps? Record it at http://askpat.com. Today’s sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Am Doing a Content Audit. Do I Delete Content? Set Up Redirects? Mar 15, 2017

Today’s question comes from Katie, who has a question about the SEO impact of deleting old content and setting up redirects for her website. Should she delete her content that’s under 300 words? Should she set up 301 redirects or 410 redirects? What is going to happen to my carnival links? Katie’s website is at http://kitchenstewardship.com. In this episode, we mention SPI Session #200 about doing a content audit on your website. Listen to that episode at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session200. Do you have a question about auditing your old website content? Record it at AskPat.com. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Start Making Money Online as a New Entrepreneur? Mar 14, 2017

Today’s question comes from Josh, who has a question about how entrepreneurs start making money online when they’re first starting out. What should he do first to start making money online? Where should he start when he doesn’t yet have an audience? How does he find and focus on his unique value proposition? In this episode, I mention my book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. I also mention my new online course, Smart From Scratch. Sign up for the next public launch in June at http://smartfromscratch.com. Go to http://www.100emails.com to learn how to start an email list. Do you have a question about making money online when you first start out? Record it at http://askpat.com. The sponsor for this episode is Vistaprint, an excellent resource for your business marketing needs. As a special to AskPat listeners, get 500 custom business cards for just $9.99 (50 percent savings!). Be sure to enter “Pat” at checkout. Learn more at http://vistaprint.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Steps Should I Take to Get My Content Into a Consistent Schedule? Mar 13, 2017

Today’s question comes from Greg, who has a question about content scheduling. How does he determine how to get his content into an actionable format? What steps should he take to get his content into a consistent schedule? How should he organize and plan his content? Greg’s website is at http://musicianmonster.com. In this episode, I mention my chat with my Managing Editor, Janna, at http://smartpassiveincome.com/session215. I also mention CoSchedule, the amazing content scheduling tool I use for Smart Passive Income. Learn more at https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/coschedule. Do you have a question about content scheduling? Record it at http://askpat.com. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today’s episode. Go to http://ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Blog Post Types Should I Launch My New Blog With? Mar 10, 2017

Today's question comes from Jeff, who has a question about creating one large blog post to launch his new blog. Should he create one epic blog post to launch his new blog? What other content should he create to launch his blog? As his blog grows, how does he balance the larger blog posts and the smaller posts? Jeff’s website is at NewMiddleClassDad.com. In this episode, we mention my interview with Neil Patel about content marketing for your blog. Listen to that episode at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session214. You can find the FoodTruckr.com article here: http://foodtruckr.com/2013/10/what-i-wish-id-known-before-starting-my-food-truck/. Do you have a question about launching your new blog? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Separate Multiple Podcasts or Put Them Under the Same Podcast Network? Mar 09, 2017

Today's question comes from Mike, who has a question about managing a variety of different podcasts. If he has a variety of different themed shows, should he keep them under the same brand and website? Does starting a podcast network make sense? Or should he separate them under different brands and websites? Mike’s website is at http://www.mongoals.com/. Do you have a question about managing multiple podcasts? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I’m An Online Educator. Should I Create a Subscription Service or an Online Course? Mar 08, 2017

Today's question comes from Amirra, who has a question about creating a subscription service and creating an online course in the education space. Should she create a subscription service or create an online course? Is there room for both as an educator online? What is the difference between a subscription service and an online course? Should she create specific online courses to help solve specific problems? Amirra’s YouTube channel is Art With Amirra. In this episode, I mention my new course, Smart From Scratch. Learn more by heading to http://www.smartfromscratch.com/. I also mention my new AskPat Live on http://www.Facebook.com/SmartPassiveIncome, which happens every Friday at 1:30 p.m. Do you have a question about creating subscription services and online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have a New Podcast. What Can I Do to Build My Podcast Audience? Mar 07, 2017

Today's question comes from Teresa, who has a question about building an audience for her new podcast. What should she focus on first to reach and grow her audience? Is Instagram a good platform to promote her podcast? How can she focus on her niche and set her podcast apart in that niche? Teresa’s website is at http://www.popcollectorspodcast.com/. Do you have a question about building your podcast audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I've Received Negative Feedback on My Writing. Should I Quit or Hire Help? Mar 06, 2017

Today's question comes from Tyler, who has a question about writing with a learning disability. Should he throw in the towel after receiving some negative feedback about his writing? What can he do to overcome this obstacle? How can he improve upon the writing he puts out on his website? Should he hire an editor, or someone to help him improve his writing? Do you have a question about improving your writing for your website? Record it at http://www.AskPat.com. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.Freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Website Is Doing Well. Now How Do I Monetize It? Mar 03, 2017

Today's question comes from Max, who has a question about monetizing his website. How does he monetize his website? What can he do to incorporate and improve Google AdSense for his website monetization? What are his options for private advertising on his website? Max's website is at http://www.ruinmyweek.com/. In this episode, I mention SEM Rush as a neat tool to help support website monetization. Learn more at http://www.semrush.com/. I also mention Patreon, an amazing crowdfunding-type platform that enables your fans to support what you're doing. Learn about Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/. Do you have a question about website monetization? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is BambooHR, a simple and central system for organizing human resources data in the cloud. For a limited time, you can get a free 14-day trial by going to http://www.bamboohr.com/, clicking on the microphone, and entering the code "Pat." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Starting a YouTube Channel. What Should My Videos Cover? Mar 02, 2017

Today's question comes from Otis, who has a question about starting a YouTube channel. How can he determine what topics his videos should cover? Otis's website is at http://www.lakecitytactical.com/. Do you have a question about YouTube? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Host a Webinar to Help Grow My List? Mar 01, 2017

Today's question comes from Jeff, who has a question about using webinars to grow his list. Should he wait until he has a big audience to host a webinar? Can he use a webinar to grow his audience? Jeff's website is at http://www.newmiddleclassdad.com/. In this episode I mention http://www.webinarninja.co/ as a good webinar tool to use. I also mention SPI Session 29 with Lewis Howes on mastering and conducting a webinar. Check that out at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session29/. Lastly, we're in launch week for Smart From Scratch, my new online course created to help you validate your business idea. Learn more and sign up at http://www.smartfromscratch.com/. Do you have a question about growing your list through webinars? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Bamboo HR, a simple and central system for organizing human resources data in the cloud. For a limited time, you can get a free 14-day trial by going to http://www.bamboohr.com/ and entering the code "Pat." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Started a Business But Forgot to Collect Data. What Now? How Can I Better Collect Data on My Customers? Feb 28, 2017

Today's question comes from Tyron, who has a question about collecting data on his customers. How does he better collect data on his customers? What are some ways he can monetize that data? How can he start marketing to his list? What is the best way to serve his customers beyond his business? Tyron's website is at http://www.tigdress.com/. In this episode, I mention that we're in launch week for Smart From Scratch, my new online course created to help you validate your business idea. Learn more and sign up at http://www.smartfromscratch.com/. Do you have a question about data collection? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are Business Cards a Necessary Part of Starting a Business? Feb 27, 2017

Today's question comes from Brian, who has a question about business cards. Should he create business cards when he first starts his business? Does he bring business cards with him when he goes to conferences? What are some strategies to use to connect and engage with people at conferences? Are there any alternatives to business cards? In this episode, I mention that today is launch day for Smart From Scratch, my new online course created to help you validate your business idea. Learn more and sign up at http://www.smartfromscratch.com/. Do you have a question about business cards? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. For AskPat Live, go to http://facebook.com/smartpassiveincome. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Create Show Notes, Why, and What Resources Can I Use to Manage My Show Notes? Feb 24, 2017

Today's question comes from Bill, who has a question about engagement and traffic from podcast show notes. How much engagement and traffic do I get from my show notes? Could he get away with skipping show notes? What should he include in his show notes? What resources can he use to manage his show notes? Bill's website is at http://www.podcastbyfriday.com/. Do you have a question about creating show notes for your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Makes a Successful Mastermind Group? Feb 23, 2017

Today's question comes from Jennifer, who has a question about building a successful mastermind group. What is the best structure of a mastermind group? What kinds of topics should they discuss? How can they best leverage each other? Jennifer's website is at http://www.sideofincome.com/. In this episode, I mention my webinar replay on How to Build a Winning Mastermind Group. You can watch that at https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/tv/how-to-build-a-winning-mastermind-group-webinar-replay/. Do you have a question about running a successful mastermind group? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Identify My True Fans? Feb 22, 2017

Today's question comes from Barry, who has a question about Kevin Kelly's 1,000 True Fans (http://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/). How does he identify which of his fans are his true fans? What's the best way to follow up with these people? How can he continue to grow his audience more strategically with his true fans? Barry's website is at http://www.turningthepage.info/. In this episode I mention a couple of tools you can use to serve your audience and find your true fans, including http://www.commun.it/ and http://www.socialrank.com/. Do you have a question about identifying who your true fans are? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Want to Develop a Routine Around Online Business Metrics. Where Should I Start and What Should I Focus On? Feb 21, 2017

Today's question comes from Matthew, who has a question about developing routines around online business metrics. Which metrics do I find the most important? Which are my favorite tools for monitoring performance? Do I have any daily, weekly, and monthly routines for analytics? Do I delegate analytics to your team? In this episode, I mention Google Webmaster Tools. Learn more at https://www.google.com/webmasters/. I also mention my new course, Smart From Scratch, which opens next week! Learn more and enroll at http://www.smartfromscratch.com/. Do you have a question about online business metrics? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If I Don't Have a Relevant College Degree for My Industry, Does it Matter? How Does that Affect My Impact? Feb 20, 2017

Today's question comes from Richard, who has a question about the importance of having a relevant college degree for the type of industry blog you run. Should he have a Bachelor Degree in Sport Science to run a successful lifestyle and fitness blog? Will his audience care about his background in education? If he don't have a relevant degree but does have the relevant knowledge and experience, how can he make sure that shines? Richard's website is at http://www.aflexibleyou.com/. Do you have a question about how your background and how that affects your value in your industry? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Am a Young Parent. How Do I Find Time to Exercise as a Parent? Feb 17, 2017

Today's question comes from Dave, who has a question about how to balance time for fitness and time for kids. How can he fit in time to exercise when he has kids? Do you have tips for young parents who want to find time for healthy activities with kids? Dave's website is at http://www.catholicprotools.com/. In this episode, I mention my Instagram account, where I feature a lot of my health and fitness activities. Find me on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/patflynn/. Do you have a question about making healthy choices as a parent? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Separate the Auto-Responses to My Emails from the Real Responses? Feb 16, 2017

Today's question comes from Simone, who has a question about separating auto-responses from real responses in her inbox. How can she make sure that she can easily find and respond to actual responses from her emails? What are some tips she can use to better filter out the auto-responses from the real responses? Simone's website is at http://www.echemusic.com/. Do you have a question about managing your email inbox? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Want to Inspire Others with Affiliate Marketing. How Do I Start and Achieve Results? Feb 15, 2017

Today's question comes from Jorge, who has a question about achieving results from affiliate marketing. How does he start building affiliate income? And how can he connect with the Filipino community specifically with my affiliate marketing? Where can he get results from his affiliate marketing? Are there any specific ways to engage his audience to inspire them in his affiliate income building process? Do you have a question about kickstarting your affiliate income? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Can I Do to Promote My Book on My Blog? Feb 14, 2017

Today's question comes from Randy, who has a question about promoting his book on his blog. What if he feels like he doesn't have much more to say outside of the book? Should he keep his blog going? What should he write about to promote his book? Randy's website is at http://www.disneylanddevotional.com/. Do you have a question about promoting your book? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Reach Out to My Audience to Start Growing My Email List? Feb 13, 2017

Today's question comes from Craig, who has a question about reaching out personally to his audience to start growing his email list. What should he include in the email to make an impact? How can he better personalize emails? What should be the ask be in his first email to his audience? Craig's website is at http://www.empowerthetribe.com/. In this episode, I mention my 3-Day Email List Challenge at http://www.100emails.com/, which you can join for free to grow your email list from 0 to 100 emails in 3 days! Do you have a question about building your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Spend Time in a Competitor's Facebook Group? Feb 10, 2017

Today's question comes from Mike, who has a small Facebook community as a part of his website. There is a similar, much larger Facebook community that is not his where he could also be active and may potentially attract new users to his site. How should he split his time between these groups? Mike's site is http://fermentingfood.uk/. Mike talks about the market map exercise from my book, Will It Fly? (http://willitflybook.com). Do you have a question about choosing where to spend your time? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor today, BambooHR. This online management software will help you manage the human resources tasks for your small business. Go to http://bamboohr.com. Click the microphone in the upper-right and enter "PAT" for your free trial. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Charge for the Business Directory on My Website? Feb 09, 2017

Today's question comes from Michael, who has a directory of service providers on his website. Should he be charging businesses to get listed in this directory, or should he continue to list people and businesses for free? Michael's site is http://www.emailoverloadsolutions.com/. I talk about the directory on my Green Exam Academy website (http://greenexamacademy.com). Do you have a question about what to include on your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Improve How I Sound on a Microphone? Feb 08, 2017

Today's question comes from Andres, who is looking for some advice on improving his skills in front of the microphone. I share my advice for leveling up your microphone skills. Do you have a question about podcasting and recording? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor today, BambooHR. This online management software will help you manage the human resources tasks for your small business. Go to http://bamboohr.com. Click the microphone in the upper-right and enter "PAT" for your free trial. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Should I Spend on Facebook Ads? Feb 07, 2017

Today's question comes from Otis, who asks about Facebook ads. How does he know how much he should spend each month? Otis's site is http://lakecitytactical.com/. Do you have a question about Facebook advertising? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Make My Product Available for a Limited Time Only? Feb 06, 2017

Today's question comes from Paul, who is planning for an upcoming product launch. Should he consider making the product available for a limited time only? Paul's website is http://photographytv.com/. Paul talks about Smart Passive Income Podcast #162 (https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session162). Do you have a question about launching a product? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Vistaprint. Vistaprint will help you create affordable, custom marketing materials for your business. To learn more, go to http://vistaprint.com/ and use the coupon code "PAT" for a special offer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Need to Rebrand My Site. Should I Migrate to a New URL? Feb 03, 2017

Today's question comes from Tim, who asks about rebranding his site, which has grown beyond its original focus. Should he keep the original URL, or migrate his site to a different URL? Tim's site is http://androidpcreview.com/. Tim talks about how I migrated Green Exam Academy from intheleed.com to greenexamacademy.com using 301 permanent redirects. Do you have a question about rebranding a site and migrating URLs? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Build My Website's Business Directory? Feb 02, 2017

Today's question comes from Simone, who asks about building a business directory on her website. How can she encourage new businesses to sign up? I've used business directories on my niche site Security Guard Training HQ (http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/) and share my best advice for getting businesses to sign up. Do you have a question about adding special features to your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Video Host Is Best for Online Courses? Feb 01, 2017

Today's question comes from Marie, who is building an online course for kids. What is the best tool to use for delivering video and keeping them protected? In this episode, I discuss how I use video on my free podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com) versus a paid course like Smart From Scratch. Teachable is a good option if you're looking for a full course platform (http://askpat.com/teachable). If you're using your own hosting system (like WordPress with a membership plugin), Wistia is an excellent video platform (https://wistia.com/), as is Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/). Do you have a question about hosting a paid course? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. My new course, Smart From Scratch, launches this month to help you choose and validate a business idea. If you're ready to get your business started, check it out at http://smartfromscratch.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make Sure My Email Subscribers Get the Right Resources? Jan 31, 2017

Today's question comes from Oz, who has a question about using email autoresponders and landing pages together. How can he make sure that people who are subscribed to one segment get the resources offered by other his other campaigns? Oz is using GetResponse for emails (https://www.getresponse.com/); I recommend and am an advisor for the email service provider ConvertKit (http://askpat.com/convertkit). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Get my free templates for writing better emails—check out Email the Smart Way (http://emailthesmartway.com). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do You Put Your Name and Date on Blog Images? Jan 30, 2017

Today's question comes from Andre, who asks about my blog images on the SPI blog. Why do I put both my name and my date on them? Andre's website is http://www.asmallinvestment.com/. Andre is referencing the images you see at the Smart Passive Income blog (http://smartpassiveincome.com/blog). I also discuss how Gary Vaynerchuk manages images (https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/). Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Start a Blog Before I Choose My Business Name? Jan 27, 2017

Today's question comes from Kit, who hasn’t chosen her company name yet. Can she still start a blog without choosing a name? Kit mentions using the lessons from my book Will It Fly? (http://willitflybook.com) to start her business. If you are starting a new website and need website hosting, I recommend Bluehost (http://askpat.com/bluehost). Do you have a question about starting a business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is the Best Method for a New Blogger to Build Traffic? Jan 26, 2017

Today's question comes from Sean, who asks about building traffic to his blog. Which method is best for a new blog: SEO or content marketing? Sean’s site is http://flighttrainingpro.com. I recommend using Yoast SEO WordPress plugin to help you include the correct SEO fields (https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/); All in One SEO Pack is also a good alternative plugin (https://wordpress.org/plugins/all-in-one-seo-pack/). This is the FoodTruckr article I mentioned (http://foodtruckr.com/2013/10/what-i-wish-id-known-before-starting-my-food-truck/). The giveaway plugin I recommend is KingSumo (http://kingsumo.com/). Do you have a question about traffic growth? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If I Have Multiple Businesses, Do They Need Separate LLCs? Jan 25, 2017

Today's question comes from Jacob, who asks about business structure. Should multiple businesses operate under the same LLC, or should each business have a separate legal entity? The first business I started is Green Exam Academy (formerly called In the LEED; http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). My original LLC is Flynndustries LLC. The other LLC I discuss in depth is related to the Smart Podcast Player (http://smartpodcastplayer.com). My account is Dave from Profitwise Accounting (http://www.profitwiseaccounting.com). Do you have a question about your business structure? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Should I Share When I Teach People How to Start a Business? Jan 24, 2017

Today's question comes from Eric, who lives in Ghana and is looking to build a site teaching others how to start online businesses in Africa. What specifically should he document? Eric's site is http://www.internetbusinessafrica.com/. I share my thoughts on how to get started. Do you have a question about starting an online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Set Up an Online Store for Selling Physical Products? Jan 23, 2017

Today's question comes from Jason, who has some questions about setting up a shopping cart for his website. Which is the best one for his needs, with include considerations for shipping physical goods? I recommend checking out ShipStation (http://www.shipstation.com/). A good website platform to check out is Shopify, which is an alternative to WordPress that is designed specifically for online stores (https://www.shopify.com/). If you want to stick with WordPress, WooCommerce is a good platform (https://woocommerce.com/). Another good shopping cart option is Samcart, for which I am an advisor (https://askpat.com/samcart). Do you have a question about selling products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Share My Amazon Affiliate Link for My Product? Jan 20, 2017

Today's question comes from Brent, who is selling a product on his website, but it is also available on Amazon. Should he let people know they can buy the product on Amazon, rather than directly from him? Should he share the affiliate link? Brent's website is http://margaritatexas.com/. To see my book club landing page strategy with Amazon affiliate links, go to http://patsbookclub.com/. Do you have a question about selling products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Test Business Ideas with Facebook Ads? Jan 19, 2017

Today's question comes from Ciaran, who asks about business idea validation using Facebook ads. If you're testing three different ideas with Facebook, do you need three separate landing pages? Do the landing pages need to be on different domains, or can they use the same domain? Ciaran discusses some of the methods I share for validating your ideas in my book Will It Fly? (http://willitflybook.com). The landing page tool I recommend is LeadPages (http://askpat.com/leadpages). Do you have a question about testing ideas with Facebook ads? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will Redesigning My Website Hurt My SEO? Jan 18, 2017

Today's question comes from Denise, who asks about redesigning a website. What steps should she take during the redesign to maintain her site's search ranking? Will redesigning the navigation negatively impact the SEO? In this episode I talk about permanent 301 redirects. Do you have a question about website redesigns? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Health Insurance and Other Benefits When I Become Self-Employed? Jan 17, 2017

Today's question comes from James, who is building his business on the side while he continues to work his day job. How does he prepare himself to become a full-time entrepreneur, looking specifically at day-job benefits like health insurance? I talk about COBRA, which is a method for continuing health insurance from a previous employer. Check out https://www.healthcare.gov/ to find out how to get individual health insurance in your state. Do you have a question about becoming self-employed? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Happens When My I Validate My Business Idea, But My Customers Leave? Jan 16, 2017

Today's question comes from Nathan, who validated a business idea, but the customers didn't last. Is that a sign that the business idea isn't good? Nathan's site is http://honeybunnybaking.com/. Nathan talks about my book Will It Fly? (http://willitflybook.com) and my talk with Noah Kagan about SumoJerky (https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/tv/validating-a-product-and-the-story-of-sumojerky-with-noah-kagan/). Do you have a question about starting a business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Better to Niche Down or Target a Broader Market? Jan 13, 2017

Today's question comes from Brian, who has a question about niching down. How does he niche down his website and his course? Should he target a specific niche, or a broader market? How specific should his target market be? Brian's website is at http://www.saasjunkie.com/. In this episode I mention Internet Business Mastery, a resource that was key for me early on in my business journey. Learn more at http://www.internetbusinessmastery.com/. And, lastly, I mention SPI Podcast #46 at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session46/ with Dane Maxwell, where he discusses building a lucrative business with no ideas. Do you have a question about niching down? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Be More Successful With My Online Business? From Editorial Calendars to iTunes Categories Jan 12, 2017

Today's question comes from Steve, who has a number of essential online business questions. Would Pat be as successful if he wasn't let go? How do you define success in online business? Should he post his editorial calendar online or will Google penalize him? Does iTunes categories matter, and what happens if there isn't a specific category for his podcast? How do you transfer your domain from one host to another without losing email service? What is the best way to monitor and fix third-party links? In this episode I mention SPI Podcast #215 at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session215/, the episode where I cover my editorial calendar and strategy. I also mention a broken link checker at http://www.brokenlinkcheck.com/. Do you have a question about the things you need to do to be a successful online entrepreneur? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Market and Validate My Online Course Idea? Jan 11, 2017

Today's question comes from Bobby, who has a question about marketing his online course. If he has already built his online course, how does he collect students? What should be his focus: research or promo video? What can he do to validate the course idea? How does he know what's working and what's not working? In this episode, I mention my book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about creating online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Want to Create a Membership Site. What Do I Need to Know to Start One? Jan 10, 2017

Today's question comes from Cynthia, who has a question about creating a membership site. How does she set up a membership site? Should she create a pilot group first? What are some steps she should take before launching a membership site? Cynthia's website is at http://www.signbabysign.org/. In this episode, I mention Rainmaker from Copyblogger. You can learn more about Rainmaker at http://www.rainmakerplatform.com/. I also mention my new book, Will It Fly?, which helps aspiring business owners validate their business ideas. Learn more at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about creating your own membership site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Get My Kids Interested in Entrepreneurship? Jan 09, 2017

Today's question comes from Jeanette, who has a question about instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in her kids. How does she get her kids interested in entrepreneurship? What is a good age to start showing her kids the tools of the trade? What kinds of business-related things and lessons should she teach her children? Jeanette's website is at http://www.craftwhack.com/. Do you have a question about getting your children interested in entrepreneurship and business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Stay Motivated and Productive Once I Achieve a Comfortable Level of Success? Jan 06, 2017

Today's question comes from Tom, who has a question about staying motivated and productive when you reach a comfortable level of success in your business. What can he do to motivate himself to keep going? How does he keep moving forward and creating goals in his business? In this episode, I mention Pencils of Promise, the organization that inspires me to keep moving forward. You can learn more about Pencils of Promise at http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Want to Create a Website Like Green Exam Academy. How Do I Start? Jan 05, 2017

Today's question comes from Gabriel, who has a question about starting a niche website with a supplemental online course for his audience. How does he create a niche website? What can he do to create a unique mark in his market? How does he determine what exam he can help his customers with? In this episode, I mention my niche website, http://www.greenexamacademy.com/, a site that continues to earn passive income today, eight years after I created it. Do you have a question about creating a niche website with supplemental learning for your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is the Ideal Length for Emails? Jan 04, 2017

Today's question comes from Rachel, who has a question about the ideal length for emails. What is the best word count for her emails? Should she try to target a specific length for her emails? What should she focus on in her emails? In this episode, I mention SPI Podcast Episode 115 on managing emails (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session115/). Do you have a question about finding the right length for your emails? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is a Good Earnings Per Click Number for Online Ads? Jan 03, 2017

Today's question comes from Sarah, who has a question about earnings per click numbers for online ads. What is a good earnings per click number? How much money can she make with online paid advertising? When is it not worth her time to spend money on earnings per click advertising? Sarah's website is at http://www.probaseballinsider.com/. In this episode, I mention SEM Rush as a great tool for keyword research at http://www.semrush.com/. Do you have a question about earnings per click or online advertising? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Balance My Full-Time Job with My Side Business? Jan 02, 2017

Today's question comes from Andrew, who has a question about balancing his side business with his full-time job. How does he balance his side business with his full-time job? If you love your day job but also want to grow your side gig, how do you commit to both without negatively affecting either of them? What can he do to invest more time in his side business? Andrew's website is at http://www.itcareerbuilder.com/. In this episode, I mention Chip and Dan Heath's book, Decisive, which is a great resource for figuring out how to make the right decisions when it comes to your work life and personal life. Learn more at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/Decisive/. Do you have a question about balancing a full-time job with a side gig? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Also, if you'd like to share your tips for balancing the two, or want to comment on this topic, ask them on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/PatFlynn/ and use the hashtag #AskPat770. Thank you!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Set My Blog Content Up for Success? Dec 30, 2016

Today's question comes from Jeremy, who wants to set himself up for success. What are the steps he can take now to structure his blog properly and to make sure the content he creates is worth keeping in the future? Jeremy references Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 200 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session200). Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Will a Website Redesign Impact My Affiliate Earnings?` Dec 29, 2016

Today's question comes from Joey, who would like to redesign his website. How can he redesign his Amazon Affiliate site without killing its current earnings? Do you have a question about your website design? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Increase My Local Web Traffic? Dec 28, 2016

Today's question comes from Stephen, who asks about local promotion. How do you increase your in-person and web traffic from a local audience? Stephen's site is http://mountainfreshmedia.com/. The sites I discuss are Yelp (https://www.yelp.com/minneapolis) and Angie's List (https://www.angieslist.com/). Do you have a question about web traffic for your brick and mortar business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Want to Upgrade My Website. What Do I Need to Know? Dec 27, 2016

Today's question comes from Jan, who is looking to upgrade her website. What is a 301 redirect? Can she use other template websites and still maintain her Google ranking? Jan's site is http://www.coloradolash.com/. Jan's first website was built by Vistaprint (http://www.vistaprint.com/). Do you have a question about web development? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Email Marketing Incentives Can a DJ or Artist Use? Dec 26, 2016

Today's question comes from DJ D'Loose, who asks about how to get people signed up to his email list. Traditional incentives like ebooks don't apply for this type of business. Share your advice and ideas on Twitter using #AskPat765. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's the Best Way to Use Medium? Dec 23, 2016

Today's question comes from Jon, who asks about using the site Medium (http://medium.com) like guest posting. Should he put in links back to his main site in his posts on Medium.com? Jon's site is http://www.moneysmartguides.com/. Do you have a question about writing on Medium? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Interview Questions Should I Ask My Guests? Dec 22, 2016

Today's question comes from Jason, who asks about interviewing. How should he determine which questions to ask his guests when interviewing? Jason's site is http://www.digitaltoolsofthetrade.com/. Do you have a question about interviewing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Best Practices for Exploring Long-Tail Keyword Searches? Dec 21, 2016

Today's question comes from Jason, who is looking to start a new niche site, but needs some advice on long-tail keyword searches. How can he find an under-used market? Jason's site is http://www.canonblogger.com/. For advice on market research, check out my book, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. For advice on starting an email list, try my email challenge at http://100emails.com. The content search tool I discuss is BuzzSumo (http://buzzsumo.com/). Do you have a question about niche site selection? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If I'm Selling on Amazon, Do I Need a Separate Website? Dec 20, 2016

Today's question comes from VK, who asks about selling seasonal items on Amazon. Does he need to set up a website to go along with his Amazon listings, or is it okay just to use Amazon and his email list? If you are just getting started, learn how to grow your email list at http://www.100emails.com. A good platform for setting up online stores is Shopify (https://www.shopify.com/). Do you have a question about getting started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Exposure for My New Website? Dec 19, 2016

Today's question comes from Brandi, who is feeling overwhelmed by the existing competition in her market. Is it even worth getting started? How can she get access to big name media properties for exposure? Also, how does she add the ability to ask audio questions, like I have for the AskPat Podcast? The tool that records questions is called Speakpipe, which allows you to embed an audio recorder on your webpage (http://askpat.com/speakpipe). Listen to Smart Passive Income Podcast Session #145 to learn how to get coverage from large media outlets (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session145). Another great tool is Help A Reporter Out (HARO), which will connect you with reporters who need sources for their stories (https://www.helpareporter.com/). Do you have a question about gaining exposure for your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Handle Spammy One-Star Reviews in iTunes? Dec 16, 2016

Today's question comes from David, who has a question about dealing with one-star iTunes ratings and reviews for his podcast. How do you handle poor reviews? What happens if those one-star ratings come from spam or online trolls? How do you deal with that negativity against your podcast? David's website is at http://www.daviddifran.co/. Do you have a question about dealing with spammy one-star reviews for your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Should I Know When it Comes to Getting Sponsors for My Podcast? Dec 15, 2016

Today's question comes from Jonathan, who has a question about podcast sponsors. Do you sign a contract with podcast sponsors, or is it a hand shake deal? What details should you consider when you sign on new sponsors for your podcast? What do you look for in a podcast sponsorship relationship? What should you include in the contract? Jonathan's website is at http://www.salespurpose.com/. Do you have a question about podcast sponsors? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Do I Use Follow Links and When Do I Use No-Follow Links? Dec 14, 2016

Today's question comes from Michelle, who has a question about follow links and no-follow links. What is the difference between follow links and no-follow links? When do you use follow links, and when do you use no-follow links? What is the their purpose? Michelle's website is at http://www.custardandbear.com/. Do you have a question about follow and no-follow links? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Help My Audience Promote and Sell Their Art Online? Dec 13, 2016

Today's question comes from Jules, who has a question about helping her audience learn how to promote and sell their art online. Should you create an ebook for your audience? What about creating an online course, even if it is takes more time? What should come first? What are some other ways to create highly valuable and engaging content for your audience? Jules's website is at http://www.unlimitedcreative.com/. In this episode, I mention Smart From Scratch, my new online business course which will be open soon for another limited run at http://www.smartfromscratch.com/. I also mention Teachable, which is the platform I used for Smart From Scratch. It's easy to use and the team over there is super great. You can learn more at http://www.askpat.com/teachable/. Do you have a question about helping your audience through an online course or ebook? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Often Should I Create Content for My Blog, Podcast, or Video Platform? Dec 12, 2016

Today's question comes from Gordon, who has a question about the volume of blog content he should be creating. How often do you need to create new content for your audience? Is there a sweet spot for specific platforms, such as a podcast, website, and video? Does the amount of content depend on the audience? In this episode, we mention my book, Will It Fly?, which is about validating your business idea. Learn more at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about content volume? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Grow My Podcast Audience? Dec 09, 2016

Today's question comes from Chris, who has a podcast and wants to find new subscribers. What's the best way to bring in new listeners? Is Facebook advertising recommended? Chris's site is http://www.parentnormal.com/. If you're thinking about starting a podcast, check out my free podcasting tutorial at http://www.podcastingtutorial.com. The episodes of the Smart Passive Income Podcast I discuss are #227, where I interviewed 15 entrepreneurs (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session227) and #97, where I focused on serving artists (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session96). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Record My Audiobook Myself? Dec 08, 2016

Today's question comes from Kris and Kit, who ask about recording audiobooks. What advice do you have for recording? Should you do it yourself or hire someone? Kris and Kit's site is http://gomousescouts.com/. I have used Upwork for finding a voiceover artist (http://askpat.com/upwork). I recorded Let Go (http://askpat.com/let-go) and Will It Fly? (http://www.askpat.com/willitfly) myself. For audiobooks, I love Audible (http://www.audible.com/). Do you have a question about recording audiobooks? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Start an Online Business in English? It's Not My First Language. Dec 07, 2016

Today's question comes from Mohamed, who is interested in starting an online business. English is not the primary language where he lives. Is there anything he should do differently? Do you have a question about starting a business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Writing Do I Need for My Podcast's Website? Dec 06, 2016

Today's question comes from Karyn, who is planning a podcast. How much writing does she need to do to support her podcast? Karyn's site is http://melbourneseast.com.au/. If you're starting a podcast, check out my free podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). Do you have a question about getting your podcast started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Blog Content Should I Have Prepared Pre-Launch? Dec 05, 2016

Today's question comes from Jeff, who is planning to start a blog. Should he launch right away, or should he wait until he has a backlog of posts banked up? What is the right order, between writing, setting up email, and launching? Do you have a question about launching your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Would You Do to Make Money Fast? Dec 02, 2016

Today's question comes from Joshua, who has a small budget. What can he do with $100 to start seeing some immediate returns? Joshua's site is http://creatingcomfortable.com/. Check out Ramit Sethi's course Earn $1K (http://askpat.com/earn1k). Do you have a question about getting started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Is My Email Bounce Rate Increasing? Dec 01, 2016

Today's question comes from Sean, who has watched the bounce rate on his emails steadily increase. Should he be concerned about this? Sean's site is http://www.worldsfastesthypnotist.com/. In this episode, I talk about the book, The Power of Habit (https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/power-of-habit). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Add Value to My YouTube Video's Blog Post? Nov 30, 2016

Today's question comes from Ryan, who has a website and YouTube channel that focuses on DIY projects. How can he add value to his YouTube video's project posts? Ryan's site is http://doingwhatever.com/. You can find Corbett Barr's website at https://fizzle.co/. Check out the 30 day challenge over at Simple Green Smoothies (http://simplegreensmoothies.com/). Do you have a question about making your website more compelling? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Build Seasonal Websites? Nov 29, 2016

Today's question comes from Amine, who asks about building websites around specific date-based events, like the Olympics or holidays and monetizing them with affiliate offers and advertising. Is this a good niche site strategy? Benny Hsu's website is http://getbusylivingblog.com/. Do you have a question about building niche sites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Set Up a Price Increase Strategy with Email Automation? Nov 28, 2016

Today's question comes from Chris, who asks about selling through email automation. How does he properly tag subscribers so that they are offered increasing prices over time? Do you have a question about email automation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Use Affiliate Links for My Book Club? Nov 25, 2016

Today's question comes from Amanda, who is planning to have a book club as part of her website. Is it okay to ask her readers to use her affiliate link when they buy the recommended books? Check out my book club at http://www.patsbookclub.com. Do you have a question about book clubs? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As My Audience Grows, How Do I Keep the Personal Touch? Nov 24, 2016

Today's question comes from Matt, whose website is growing. He appreciates the 1:1 interaction he has with his readers right now, but that won't scale. How can he keep the connection with his readers when he can't have as deep of an interaction with each one? Matt's website is http://www.timezillionaire.com/. My assistant Jessica talks about how she approaches my email in Smart Passive Income Podcast #115: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/email-management. Do you have a question about connecting with your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When I Launch a Forum, How Can I Make Sure I Have Users from Day One? Nov 23, 2016

Today's question comes from Andy, who is planning to launch a forum on his site. How can he launch it with a big enough pool of users from day one? Andy's site is http://iporada.com/. Andy mentions my post on how to keep a forum active: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-keep-a-forum-active. Do you have a question about community forums? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Sell to My Whole Email List or Just to a Segment? Nov 22, 2016

AP 0741: Should I Sell to My Whole Email List or Just to a Segment? Today's question comes from Tracy, who asks about selling to her email list. Should she pitch her product to her entire list or just to a targeted segment? Tracy's site is http://mumswithhustle.com/. I'm an advisor for and big fan of the email service provider ConvertKit: http://askpat.com/convertkit. Do you have a question about selling to your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Early Is Too Early to Market My Product Launch? Nov 21, 2016

Today's question comes from Huw, who is planning ahead for a launch in four months. How early is too early to start the marketing for this launch? Huw's YouTube channel is at https://www.youtube.com/user/HuwsNursery. For more on launches, check out Smart Passive Income Podcast Session 137 with Amy Porterfield (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session137). Do you have a question about launches? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Start with an Ebook or a Video Series? Nov 18, 2016

Today's question comes from Mary, who is a college professor and is planning to create both an ebook and a video series based on a topic she teaches. Which should she focus on first? For more on creating an ebook, check out my guide Ebooks the Smart Way (http://ebooksthesmartway.com). Teachable is a great platform for setting up a paid or free video course. Do you have a question about creating content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Should I Have on My Homepage? Nov 17, 2016

Today's question comes from Brad, who asks a great question about his website. What makes a good homepage? What content should he have and how does he make it useful to his readers? Brad's site is http://growmilkweedplants.com/. We talk about the design on my website Smart Passive Income (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com), as well as my SPI Pro Theme from StudioPress (http://askpat.com/spitheme). Do you have a question about your website's content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Grow My Email List with a WordPress.com Website? Nov 16, 2016

Today's question comes from Leslie, who has a question about building email lists. What email marketing plugins works best for a WordPress.com (not self-hosted) site? How do you grow your email list without a self-hosted website platform? Leslie's website is at http://www.pureenergylifestyle.com/. In this episode, I mention Mail Chimp's subscriber pop-up feature, which you can find in the Mail Chimp database. I also mention Drip, which is a new tool I use. You can get started with Drip for free at http://www.askpat.com/drip/. Do you have a question about building your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Writing Tools Can I Use While I'm Traveling? Nov 15, 2016

Today's question comes from Frank, who has a question about writing blog posts while traveling. What do you do while you're offline? Do you recommend any offline writing tips and tools so you can maintain productivity? Frank's website is at http://www.frankcjones.com/. In this episode, I mention Michael Hyatt's blog post, 5 Reasons Why I Switched to Scrivener (http://www.michaelhyatt.com/switched-to-scrivener.html/). You can get a 20% discount off Scrivener with Michael Hyatt's code: MICHAELHYATT. I also mention Byword, a distraction-free writing tool (http://www.bywordapp.com/). Do you have a question about writing offline? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Increase My Conversion Rates for Amazon Associates? Nov 14, 2016

Today's question comes from Pascal, who has a question about conversion rates for Amazon Associates. How do you increase your conversion rates? Are there other products you can promote to increase your affiliate income? What are some specific ways you can promote your affiliate products and earn better commissions? Pascal's website is at http://www.cuisinealaplancha.com/. In this episode, I mention my free ebook, Affiliate Marketing the Smart Way. You can get this today at http://www.affiliatemarketingthesmartway.com/. Do you have a question about increasing conversion rates for your affiliate relationships? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Monetize My Niche Website? Nov 11, 2016

Today's question comes from Phil, who has a question about monetizing a niche website. How do you find affiliates to work with your niche business? Where do you look for affiliates? How do you get your website visitors to comment on your website, especially if it is a narrow niche/industry? Phil's website is at http://www.buildingautomationmonthly.com/. In this episode I mention Will It Fly?, my book on validating your idea for a business. Pick up your copy at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about monetizing a niche website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Start a YouTube Channel to Complement My Website? Nov 10, 2016

Today's question comes from Ernie, who has a question about starting a YouTube channel. Should you start a YouTube channel to complement your website and brand? What types of videos can you add to your channel and your website? How do you enhance your brand with a YouTube channel? Ernie's website is at http://www.militarydiscountscentral.com/. Do you have a question about starting a YouTube channel for your brand? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Some Key Tips for Crafting My Podcast Episode Titles? Nov 09, 2016

Today's question comes from Z, who has a question about podcast episode titles. What are the pros and cons of using episode numbers? What should you keep in mind when you craft your podcast episode titles? Can you change the titles later after you publish? Do keywords in podcast titles matter? Z's website is at http://www.artofmfg.com/. In this episode, I mention SPI Session 78, which you can find at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session78/. Do you have a question about improving your podcast episode titles? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Keep Track of My Sales Funnels as I Grow My Business? Nov 08, 2016

Today's question comes from Henry, who has a question about how to keep track of his sales funnels. How does he make his website scalable as he grows? Are there any specific strategies to put in place to make his funnels more efficient and simpler? Henry's website is at http://www.guitareasier.com/. In this episode I mention Ramit Sethi's website at http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/. I also mention the book Ask by Ryan Levesque at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/ask-amazon/. Do you have a question about organizing your sales funnel? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Troubleshoot My Podcast Feed When I'm Missing Episodes? Nov 07, 2016

Today's question comes from David, who has a question about missing podcast episodes in iTunes. What do you do if your feed is missing episodes? What do you do if your iTunes feed is not working right? How do you validate your podcast feed? What do you need to know about your ID3 tags? David's website is at http://www.salesvideos.com/. In this episode, I mention Cast Feed Validator, a place where you can validate your podcast feed, at http://www.castfeedvalidator.com/. Do you have a question about troubleshooting your podcast feed? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Separate My Products into Different Sites? Nov 04, 2016

Today's question comes from Ryan, who sells posters in different niches. He's selling them from the same store; should he separate them into different sites? Ryan's site is http://designdifferent.ca/. Do you have a question about selling products on your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Set Up Multiple Websites on a Single Domain? Nov 03, 2016

Today's question comes from Joshua, who has a question about hosting plans. Is there any downside to setting up multiple websites on a single hosting environment? Joshua's site is http://informationtechnologytraining.biz/. The dedicated server I use is at Linode (http://linode.com/), but when you are getting started I highly recommend using Bluehost (http://askpat.com/bluehost). Do you have a question about your website hosting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Fiverr a Good Place to Find Writers? Nov 02, 2016

Today's question comes from Dan, who asks about using Fiverr. Is it a good source for finding writers to help with his site's content? Find Fiverr at http://fiverr.com/. I prefer Upwork (http://askpat.com/upwork) or the Problogger Job Board (http://problogger.com/jobs/) for finding writers. The transcription app and website I use is Rev (http://rev.com). Do you have a question about content creation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Can I Start Selling to My Audience? Nov 01, 2016

Today's question comes from Brandon, who asks about selling to his audience. How large of an audience does he need before he begins selling things? Brandon's site is http://www.startupmusician.co/. The episode of the Smart Passive Income Podcast with Brian Harris is Session #190 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/step-by-step-product-creation-with-bryan-harris/). Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about selling to your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Keep My Video Course Private? Oct 31, 2016

Today's question comes from Brian, who is planning to sell a video course. How does he keep his course private? Brian's site is http://www.coachingclarity.org/. Brian mentions the course hosting site Udemy (https://www.udemy.com/), as well as the video host Wistia (http://wistia.com/). I also discuss the video hosts Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/) and Podbean (http://www.podbean.com/). The WordPress plugins I mention are WP WishList (http://member.wishlistproducts.com/) and Zippy Courses (http://askpat.com/zippycourses). The course host I use is Teachable (http://askpat.com/teachable). Another option is Gumroad (http://askpat.com/gumroad) Do you have a question about creating and selling courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Business Training Course Is Best? Oct 28, 2016

Today's question comes from Lauren, who asks about online business training courses. Which is best for her? The courses Lauren mentions are Internet Business Mastery (http://askpat.com/ibm) and Ramit Sethi's Zero to Launch (http://askpat.com/ztl). I also discuss Chris Ducker's Youpreneur (http://www.youpreneur.com/) and Fizzle (http://askpat.com/fizzle).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Early Is Too Early to Start Social Media? Can I Start Before I Build My Website? Oct 27, 2016

Today's question comes from Taj, who has claimed his social media accounts but has not started using them yet. Is it too early to start posting if he's not ready to start his business yet? Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Improve My Podcasting Guest's Audio? Oct 26, 2016

Today's question comes from Garrett, who has an interview podcast that he records through Skype. How can he improve the audio quality from his guests? Garrett's site is http://www.thesquadroom.net/. The tool I recommend trying is Auphonic (https://auphonic.com/), which can help you automatically process your caller audio. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. If you're planning to start a podcast, follow my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Stand Out on Fiverr? Oct 25, 2016

Today's question comes from Riley, who asks how to promote himself better on Fiverr. What can he do to stand out? Also, should he build his own website? Riley talks about the work he does on Fiverr (https://www.fiverr.com/). Do you have a question about marketing your services? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are the Ethics of Ghostwriting and Guest Posting? Oct 24, 2016

Today's question comes from Travis, who asks about the ethics of working with ghostwriters and guest writers. Is it ethical to use ghostwriters for blog posts published under your own name? How do you involve guest writers on your site while still maintaining a relationship with your readers? The transcription service I use is Rev (http://askpat.com/rev). Do you have a question about writing for your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Tools Can I Use to Estimate Website Traffic? Oct 21, 2016

Today's question comes from Corey, who has a question about the right tools for estimating website traffic. What are the best tools I can use to estimate web traffic of my competitors? Are there other things I should be looking at for website rankings, traffic, and the like? In this episode, I mention a few great analytics tools, including Alexa at http://www.alexa.com/, SEM Rush at http://www.semrush.com/, and http://www.similarweb.com/. Do you have a question about finding the right tools for estimating website traffic? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Can I Do to Separate Myself From My Competitors Without Burning Bridges? Oct 20, 2016

Today's question comes from Aaron, who has a question about communicating with your competition without burning bridges. How can we support each other without creating conflict? Is there room for building relationships with your competitors? What are some ways you can set your website apart from your competitors in your unique niche? Aaron's website is at http://www.hamconnect.com/. Do you have a question about separating your business from your competitors without burning bridges? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. You can also share your thoughts on this topic on Twitter by using the hashtag #AskPat718

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Organize Your Website to Better Serve Your Audience? Oct 19, 2016

Today's question comes from Jessica, who has a question about organizing the content on her website. Is it okay to have different types of videos on your website? Where do I put those videos? How do you build your website to make your brand more clear for your audience? What are some ways you can instantly explain who you are on your website? Jessica's website is at http://www.jessicacrossasmr.com/. Do you have a question about organizing your website to better serve your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are The Best Ways to Engage with Inactive Email List Subscribers? Oct 18, 2016

Today's question comes from Mark, who has question about the "cold subscribers" on email lists. What are the pros and cons of engaging with cold, or inactive, subscribers? Should I delete my bounced subscribers? What are the best ways to reach out with inactive subscribers? What happens when they do not respond? How many emails do I send to my cold subscribers? Mark's website is at http://www.firstresponderfitness.us/. In this episode, I mention ConvertKit. You can learn more about ConvertKit at http://www.convertkit.com/. I also mention my ebook, Email the Smart Way. You can get this ebook for free at http://www.emailthesmartway.com/. Do you have a question about engaging with your inactive email list subscribers? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Leverage My Book to Support and Monetize My Brand? Oct 17, 2016

Today's question comes from Jeanette, who has a question about how her new book can help build her brand and monetize her website. How do I use my book to help promote my brand? What can I do to connect my book to my website? Can the book help me build my email list? Should I write a new book? You can find Jeanette's art and activity website at http://www.craftwhack.com/. In this episode, I mention SPI Episode 37 with Lain Ehmann on monetizing in a hobby niche at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session37/. I also mention Survey Monkey to help you to get feedback from your audience through surveys. Learn more at http://www.surveymonkey.com/. Do you have a question about leveraging your book to support and monetize your brand and website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Use Someone Else's Trademarked Brand in My Website URL? Oct 14, 2016

Today's question comes from Jake, who is interested in starting a niche site aimed at iPhone users. Is it okay to use the term "iPhone" in his website URL? Jake's website is http://www.goodnightjakeandtraci.com/. I have experience with this issue from my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). Jake mentions my book, Will It Fly? (http://willitflybook.com). Do you have a question about intellectual property? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Keep My Eyes Healthy When I Spend All Day in Front of a Computer? Oct 13, 2016

Today's question comes from Zubin, who is fatigued by spending so much time in front of his computer. What would I recommend to keep eye strain down? The tool I recommend for adjusting screen brightness is Flux (https://justgetflux.com/). Do you have a question about staying healthy as an entrepreneur? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Migrate an Email List from AWeber to ConvertKit? Oct 12, 2016

Today's question comes from Rob, who is in the process of migrating his email list from AWeber into ConvertKit. What's the best way to migrate people from AWeber lists into ConvertKit? I'm an advisor for and big fan of the email service provider ConvertKit. They have made advanced email marketing easy and affordable. Check out my affiliate link: http://askpat.com/convertkit. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Should I Focus on Right Now to Grow Business? Oct 11, 2016

Today's question comes from Lucas, who started his animation business a year ago. He needs to grow his business but doesn't have a significant email list or fan base. What should he focus on right now? Lucas's website is http://mudbrickstudios.com/. Do you have a question about growing your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Haven't You Created a Niche Site Marketplace? Oct 10, 2016

Today's question comes from Glenn, who asks why I haven't built a marketplace for buying and selling successful niche websites. There are several marketplaces available where you can buy and sell niche websites, including Flippa (a past sponsor; http://www.flippa.com/). Do you have a question about buying a niche website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Content Should I Have Before My Blog Launch? Oct 07, 2016

Today's question comes from Chris, who in the process of launching a website with a blog. How much content should he have prepared before launch? Here is the FoodTruckr launch post I discuss: http://foodtruckr.com/2013/10/what-i-wish-id-known-before-starting-my-food-truck/. Do you have a question about getting started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Would Tim Ferriss's Business Model Work for Other People? Oct 06, 2016

Today's question comes from Abel, who asks about how Tim Ferriss's business model compares to mine. Tim doesn't seem to focus as narrowly on a niche as I do—is that a bad business model? Tim was my guest on Smart Passive Income Episode 51 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session51) and Episode 110 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session110). I also discuss Ramit Sethi (http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/) and Gary Vaynerchuk (https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/). Do you have a question about starting a business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are the Rules about Using Music in Videos and Podcasts? Oct 05, 2016

Today's question comes from Bryan, who asks about using music in videos and on podcasts. Does he need to buy music or is it sufficient merely to give credit to the artists? Bryan's site is http://thebusinessplan.co/. You can buy music at iStockPhoto.com (http://www.askpat.com/istock-photo) or AudioJungle (https://audiojungle.net/) or use music in the public domain (http://www.pdinfo.com/public-domain-music-list.php). Do you have a question about copyright licenses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make My Email Newsletter Valuable? Oct 04, 2016

Today's question comes from Adriaan, who sends a regular newsletter to his clients. How can he "spice up" his newsletter so that it is valuable for his customers? I'm an advisor for and big fan of the email service provider ConvertKit. They have made advanced email marketing easy and affordable. Check out my affiliate link: http://askpat.com/convertkit. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Get More Questions for My Podcast? Oct 03, 2016

Today's question comes from Paul, who has a weekly podcast that relies on listener-submitted questions. How can he ensure that he gets enough submissions on an ongoing basis? Is there a baseline amount of traffic his website needs? Paul's website is http://godzoneshow.com/. Paul and I both use Speakpipe to collect recorded questions from our audience (http://askpat.com/speakpipe). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Audience at the Beginning Stages of My Website? Sep 30, 2016

Today's question comes from Khizer, who has a question about growing his audience. How do I grow an email list at the beginning stages of my website? As a musician, are there any unique ways to gain attention? What are some platforms I can use to grow my listening audience or subscriber base? Khizer's website is at http://www.hizerk.com/. In this episode, I mention Huzza as a neat interactive tool for creators. Learn more about Huzza at http://www.huzza.io/. Do you have a question about growing your email list or building your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Rebrand a Podcast? Sep 29, 2016

Today's question comes from Tim, who has a question about rebranding a podcast. How do I go about rebranding a podcast? Should I rebrand my podcast to reach a wider audience? What are the pros and cons of rebranding? Tim's website is at http://www.aggrad.com/. In this episode, I mention Libsyn (http://www.libsyn.com/) and BuzzSprout (http://www.buzzsprout.com/). Do you have a question about rebranding for your podcast or business product? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Udemy a Good Platform for Repurposing Content? Sep 28, 2016

Today's question comes from Keri, who asks about Udemy (https://www.udemy.com/). Is Udemy a good platform for repurposing content? For course hosting, I'm using Teachable (http://teachable.com/). Here's Udemy's Course Quality Checklist (https://teach.udemy.com/course-quality-checklist/). I also mention Smart Passive Income Session 009 with Nicole Dean, where we discuss PLR content (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/make-money-making-web-wonderful-place-nicole-dean). Share your thoughts on this topic on Twitter using #AskPat702. Do you have a question about courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Increase Traffic to My Forum? Sep 27, 2016

Today's question comes from Amy, who has a question about forums. How can she increase traffic on her forum? Should she replace the forum with a different solution? Amy's site is http://www.mphgrads.com/. Do you have a question about website forums? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is the Upload Process for Video Podcasts? Sep 26, 2016

Today's question comes from Saj, who asks about video podcasting. What is the procedure for posting a video podcast? I recommend using Podbean for your file host (http://www.podbean.com/). Check out my audio podcasting tutorial for more on audio podcasts. (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com) Do you have a question about video production? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Get Your Business Up and Running Without Breaking the Bank? Sep 23, 2016

Today's question comes from Tyler, who has a question about what to do if you have a great business idea but don't have the necessary funds to get started. How do you validate your business idea before spending money? What are a few strategies to get your business running without having to go into debt? In this episode, I mention Will It Fly?, my book about validating your business idea, which you can get at http://willitflybook.com. I mention crowdfunding options like Kickstarter, which you can find at http://www.kickstarter.com/. And I mention my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). Do you have a question about getting your business off the ground without breaking the bank? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Shift Your Mindset When You Face Adversity? Sep 22, 2016

Today's question comes from Karyn, who has a question about how she can shift her mindset to overcome adversity. What do you do when you face adversity? What do you do about negative comments on your website? Do you allow yourself time to grieve? How do you overcome those obstacles? What are a few tips to change your perspective for the better so you can move forward and stay positive? Karyn's website is at http://www.theremotecoach.com/. In this podcast, I mention my book, Will It Fly?, which documents some of the adversity I've encountered and how I've moved on. You can order a paperback or Kindle copy of Will It Fly? at http://www.willitflybook.com./ If you sign up for Audible, you can also get Will It Fly? for free. Go to http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/willitflyaudio/. Do you have a question about shifting your mindset when you face adversity? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Start a Niche Website? Sep 21, 2016

Today's question comes from Eric, who has a question about how he can create a niche website as someone who's just starting out. What are the essential elements of a niche website? How do I host a niche website? How do I monetize my niche website? In this episode, I mention Niche Site Duel where you can learn more about how I launched, grew, and monetized my niche sites. You can learn more at http://www.nichesiteduel.com/. I also mention my three integral niche websites, which can be case reviewed as case studies: http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/, http://www.greenexamacademy.com/, and http://www.foodtruckr.com/. Lastly, I also mention Bluehost as a great option for your new niche website. You can get an exclusive discount at http://www.askpat.com/bluehost/. Do you have a question about creating a niche website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Find Affiliate Links When You're First Starting Out? Sep 20, 2016

Today's question comes from Mark, who has a question about where to go to find affiliate links when you're first starting out. If you don't have a big following or recognition in your niche, how do you discover affiliates? Do you launch with Amazon's affiliate program? Do you start with the products you trust? How difficult is it to get affiliate links for those products? In this episode, I mention Amazon Associates, which is an easy place to start for building affiliate income. You can learn more at https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/. If you want to learn more about how I built up an income through affiliate marketing, be sure to check out my free guide, Affiliate Marketing The Smart Way, at http://www.affiliatemarketingthesmartway.com/. In this episode, I talk about my niche site, Green Exam Academy, which you can find at http://www.greenexamacademy.com/. Do you have a question about finding affiliate relationships when you're first starting out? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Find the Balance Between Actively Working and Earning a Passive Income? Sep 19, 2016

Today's question comes from Mark, who has a question about how he can attain a truly "passive" income. How do I find the right balance of effort and passive income? When do I have the time to stop actively working and start passively reaping the rewards? Mark's website is at http://www.exceptionalpoker.com/. In this episode, I mention the 4-Hour Work Week from Tim Ferriss as an example of earning a passive income. You can get Tim's book at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/fourhourworkweek/. Do you have a question about finding a balance between your active work and earning a passive income? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Niche Has No Lasting Podcasts. Why Is That? Sep 16, 2016

Today's question comes from Jerold, who is in cycling niche. There are no lasting podcasts in this niche—why is that? Jerold's site is http://www.cargobikelane.com/. If you're looking to start a podcast, check out my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If I Want to Link to Other Web Shops, Do I Need to Work with Those Sites? Sep 15, 2016

Today's question comes from someone who wishes to remain anonymous. If he wants to link to other web shops from his site, does he need to work with the owners of those sites? In this episode, I talk about Houzz (http://www.houzz.com/). Do you have a question about working with web shops? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Worry That I Don't Enjoy the Business I Started? Sep 14, 2016

Today's question comes from Nick, who has started a business model, but he has discovered that he does not enjoy the work involved in running the business. Nick's site is https://compassionateman.com/. In this episode I talk about a few exercises from my book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly? (http://willitflybook.com). Do you have a question about running a business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Often Should Podcasters Ask for Reviews? Sep 13, 2016

Today's question comes from Brad, who has a question about podcasting. How do I feel about podcasters who ask for reviews on a regular basis? Brad's site is http://89days.net/. Brad mentions my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Need a Separate Website for Each Client Type? Sep 12, 2016

Today's question comes from John, who is a photographer with several different client types. Should he build a separate website for each specialty? John's site is http://naccaratophotography.com/. I recommend Ryan Levesque's excellent book on how to conduct audience surveys (http://www.amazon.com/Ask-Counterintuitive-Discover-Customers-Business/dp/1939447720/&tag=smartpassiveincome-20). Do you have a question about setting up your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Giving Away a Free Ebook a Good Idea? Sep 09, 2016

Today's question comes from Matthew, who has asks about using ConvertKit. Can ConvertKit help him set up a system for delivering ebooks to new email subscribers? Is a free ebook even a good idea? I'm an advisor and big fan of the email service provider ConvertKit. They have made advanced email marketing easy and affordable. Check out my affiliate link: http://askpat.com/convertkit. The conversion tool I recommend is LeadPages (http://askpat.com/leadpages). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. To learn how to create a great resource for your website, check out my free guide, Ebooks the Smart Way (http://ebooksthesmartway.com). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Plan Your Editorial Calendar? Sep 08, 2016

Today's question comes from Kamil, who asks about my blog planning process. How do I decide what to do and how often? Kamil's site is http://www.excelonomia.pl/. Check out Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 215 with my managing editor, Janna Maron (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/keep-your-editorial-calendar-ahead/). The two biggest tools we use are CoSchedule (http://askpat.com/coschedule/) and Google Sheets (https://www.google.com/sheets/about/). Check out my book club at http://patsbookclub.com/. Do you have a question about managing your editorial calendar? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Pelican Business Capital. To learn about their financing options, call 949-299-1999. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create a Video Podcast? Sep 07, 2016

Today's question comes from Cynthia, who has a huge backlog of YouTube videos. How can she turn these videos into a podcast? Cynthia's site is http://signbabysign.org/. For audio podcasts, check out my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). For hosting, my favorite audio hosts are Libysn (http://www.libsyn.com) and Buzzsprout (http://www.buzzsprout.com); my favorite video podcast host is Podbean (http://www.podbean.com). The download tool I mention is ClipConverter (http://www.clipconverter.cc). My video podcast is SPI TV (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/tv). Do you have a question about video podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Important Is It to Thank Readers? Sep 06, 2016

Today's question comes from Nadeem, who is a real estate agent and is starting a blog. Is it okay to include the "I appreciate you" phrase at the end of posts? In this episode I talk about Gary Vaynerchuk's social media appreciation (https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/). Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Doesn't Your Home Page Have a Feature Box? Sep 05, 2016

Today's question comes from Max, who asks about my new website design. It doesn't include a feature box on the home page. Why did I leave that out? Max's site is http://copypulse.com/. Max references Derek Halpern's critique of my old website design (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/conversion-strategies/). Do you have a question about web design? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Worry about Spam Bots Filling My Email List? Sep 02, 2016

Today's question comes from Jason, who asks about spam email list signups. What do you do to keep from getting a list full of spambot accounts? Jason's site is http://www.thesoundguyisinvisible.com/. I'm an advisor and big fan of the email service provider ConvertKit (http://askpat.com/convertkit). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my free resource, Email the Smart Way, which will teach you what content to include in your email marketing: http://emailthesmartway.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Distribute AskPat T-Shirts? Sep 01, 2016

Today's question comes from Kelly, who asks about the AskPat t-shirts. What is the distribution process? Kelly's site is http://wirededucator.com/. We use Printfection for distribution (http://www.askpat.com/printfection). For collecting questions, we use Speakpipe (http://speakpipe.com). Do you have a question about using promotional materials? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Content Does My Niche Website Need? Aug 31, 2016

Today's question comes from Abdul, who has created a niche website and is filling out the content. What content is the most important? Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. A great tool to use is the Google Keyword Planner (https://adwords.google.com/KeywordPlanner). The Google search trick I recommend is to enter the following for a forum website (replace "forumwebsite.com" with the URL for the site you want to search): site:forumwebsite.com "I need" Do you have a question about writing for your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Did You Learn from Michael Port's Public Speaking Course? Aug 30, 2016

Today's question comes from Aaron, who asks about a course I took, Michael Port's Heroic Public Speaking (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/hps). What did I get from this program? I also recommend SCOREE (http://www.scorreconference.tv/) and Toastmasters (https://www.toastmasters.org/) for improving your public speaking. Do you have a question about public speaking? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Just Started My Blog. What Should I Do to Get Started the Right Way? Aug 29, 2016

Today's question comes from Jayson, who just started his blog four days ago. What should he do to get started the right way? Jayson's site is http://navyprogrammer07.blogspot.com/. I recommend a few tools in this episode, including Bluehost for self-hosting (http://www.askpat.com/bluehost). I'm an advisor and big fan of the email service provider ConvertKit. They have made advanced email marketing easy and affordable. Check out my affiliate link: http://askpat.com/convertkit. Do you have a question about getting your website started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm an Introvert. How Do I Overcome My Fear of Speaking to My Potential Customers? Aug 26, 2016

Today's question comes from Rachell, who is in the process of reading Will It Fly? and has encountered an exercise the feels overwhelming. As an introvert, the idea of talking to strangers is very scary. What can she do to push past this fear? In this episode, I mention Darren Rowse from http://www.problogger.net/. Do you have a question about overcoming your fears? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If I Change Careers, Does that Mean I Wasted Time Earning My Professional Degree? Aug 25, 2016

Today's question comes from Lesley, who spent eight years earning a professional degree. Now she would like to shift careers but worries about the time she spent earning that degree. Do I regret my architecture training? Do I ever use those skills now? Do you have a question about your career? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Continue to Submit to StumbleUpon? Aug 24, 2016

Today's question comes from Jan, who asks about using StumbleUpon. While StumbleUpon increases her page views dramatically, it also pushes her bounce rate above 90%. Should she continue to submit her posts to StumbleUpon? StumbleUpon is a content discovery engine (http://www.stumbleupon.com/). Two different tools I recommend for studying and improving your site analytics are Crazy Egg (https://www.crazyegg.com/) and SumoMe (http://www.askpat.com/sumome). Do you have a question about increasing traffic to your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, iubenda. If you have a website, you need a privacy policy. iubenda will help you create one; go to http://www.iubenda.com/ to build an easy-to-read policy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who Gets Affiliate Commission if a User Clicks from Multiple Affiliates? Aug 23, 2016

Today's question comes from Paul, who has a question about affiliate marketing. What happens if a user clicks on a product's affiliate link on two separate websites? Who gets the commission? Paul's website is http://photographytv.com/. Paul mentions my Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 186 on affiliate marketing (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session186). Check out my guide on Affiliate Marketing, Affiliate Marketing the Smart Way (http://affiliatemarketingthesmartway.com). Do you have a question about affiliate marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Use the Same Content on Multiple Content and Social Media Channels? Aug 22, 2016

Today's question comes from Daria, who asks about my "be everywhere" strategy. Is it okay to put the same content across multiple social media and content channels? Daria's website is http://realrussianclub.com/. In this episode, I mention my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). Do you have a question about your marketing and social media efforts? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, iubenda. If you have a website, you need a privacy policy. iubenda will help you create one; go to http://www.iubenda.com/ to build an easy-to-read policy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Keep Track of My Sales? Aug 19, 2016

Today's question comes from Brian, who has a question about bookkeeping. Brian's site is http://cpr4educators.com/. Brian mentions the automation tool Zapier (http://www.askpat.com/zapier). The accountant I work with is Brian from Profitwise Accounting (http://www.profitwiseaccounting.com/). Today's sponsor, Freshbooks, is an excellent tool for your bookkeeping (http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat"). Stripe is an excellent tool for collecting credit cards and keeping track of the records (http://www.askpat.com/stripe). Do you have a question about the accounting side of your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are Video Podcasts a Good Idea? Aug 18, 2016

Today's question comes from John, who asks about video podcasts. Are they a good idea? The host I recommend for video podcasts is Podbean (http://podbean.com). Do you have a question about video podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are Vending Machines Smart Passive Income? Aug 17, 2016

Today's question comes from Jasmine. Do vending machines qualify as smart passive income? For an example of a vending business, check out my friend Matt Miller's School Spirit Vending (http://schoolspiritvending.com/). If you have a vending machine business, share your experience on Twitter with #AskPat672. Do you have a question about different business models? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, iubenda. If you have a website, you need a privacy policy. iubenda will help you create one; go to http://www.iubenda.com/ to build an easy-to-read policy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Drip My Course Content? Aug 16, 2016

Today's question comes from Glenn, who asks about the best way to structure his course. Should he provide access to all of the videos at once, or should he drip out the course content, providing access one at a time? Glenn's site is http://strategicstartup.com/. Do you have a question about structuring your course content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Possible for Someone to Replicate Your Success? Aug 15, 2016

Today's question comes from Ruben, who asks whether it's possible to repeat my success. Is it possible for someone to follow what I've done and achieve the same results? Do you have a question about branding? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Share your thoughts on Twitter with the hashtag #AskPat670. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Choose What to Outsource? Aug 12, 2016

Today's question comes from Mark, who asks which parts of my website I outsource other people. Mark's site is http://www.gigsthatwork.com/ In this episode, I recomment Upwork (merger of oDesk and Elance; http://upwork.com) and Virtual Staff Finder (http://askpat.com/virtualstafffinder). Check out Chris Ducker's book Virtual Freedom for advice (and his Three Lists of Freedom exercise) (http://askpat.com/vf). Do you have a question about outsourcing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Improve My Email List's Open Rate? Aug 11, 2016

Today's question comes from Megan, who works for a nonprofit organization and is looking to improve her email list's open rate. What re-engagement techniques do I recommend? I'm an advisor and big fan of the email service provider ConvertKit (http://askpat.com/convertkit). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Re-Record Old Podcast Episodes? Aug 10, 2016

Today's question comes from Eddie, who asks about podcasting. The quality of his show has improved dramatically since he began the show. Should he go back and redo his early episodes? Eddie's site is http://changeyourpov.com/. Eddie mentions my free podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com) Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, iubenda. If you have a website, you need a privacy policy. iubenda will help you create one; go to http://www.iubenda.com/ to build an easy-to-read policy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Update the Publish Dates on Old Posts on My Blog? Aug 09, 2016

Today's question comes from Andrea, who asks about blog content audits. Should she change post dates? Should she remove seasonal posts? Andrea's site is http://www.goodhealthgirl.com/. Andrea discussing Smart Passive Income Podcast Session 200, where Todd Tresidder and I discussed content audits (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session200). Here's the updated post I discuss: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/the-most-important-conversation-ive-had-about-my-business-ever/. Do you have a question about content audits? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Outsource My Social Media Workload? Aug 08, 2016

Today's question comes from Neil, who has a question about increasing his social media involvement. He has a very busy schedule; is this something that he should outsource? Neil's site is http://thelawentrepreneur.com/. The tool I mention is Edgar (https://meetedgar.com/). Another option is Hootsuite (https://hootsuite.com/). Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, iubenda. If you have a website, you need a privacy policy. iubenda will help you create one; go to http://www.iubenda.com/ to build an easy-to-read policy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Keep Students from Sharing My Ebook? Aug 05, 2016

Today's question comes from Naureen, who asks about selling ebooks. What is to stop people from sharing your book after they download it? In this episode, I mention Gumroad's PDF stamping (http://blog.gumroad.com/post/40614820182/introducing-pdf-stamping). Share your experience on Twitter using #AskPat664. Do you have a question about ebooks? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Has Your Work Schedule Changed as You Became Successful? Aug 04, 2016

Today's question comes from Peter, who asks about my work schedule over the life span of Smart Passive Income. How many hours a week did I work each year? In this episode, I mention RescueTime (https://www.rescuetime.com/). Do you have a question about time management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Process Do You Use for Planning Projects? Aug 03, 2016

Today's question comes from Adam, who asks about planning projects. How do I plan large projects and break them down into smaller pieces? Adam's site is http://morningroar.com/. In this episode, I discuss the project planning for my book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly? (http://willitflybook.com). Do you have a question about project planning? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, DesignCrowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Influencers to Respond to My Emails? Aug 02, 2016

Today's question comes from Megan, who is working on a roundup post. How can she get influencers in her industry to respond to her emails? Do you have a question about building your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Feel Overwhelmed. How Important Is Keyword Research to Getting My Business Started? Aug 01, 2016

Today's question comes from Travis, who hasn't launched his website yet. He's feeling overwhelmed by keyword research. How can he overcome this and get started? Kimanzi Constable shares advice for raising your profile with larger media sites in Smart Passive Income Episode 145 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session145). Do you have a question about getting started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create a Good Design Contest? Jul 29, 2016

Today's question comes from Nicole, who asks about setting up a good design competition on 99Designs. What are best practices for getting the best designers to participate? Do you have a question about logo design? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do You Set Up URL Redirects for New Projects? Jul 28, 2016

Today's question comes from James, who asks about my strategy around websites and product URLs. Why (and how) do I set up new URLs like http://ebooksthesmartway.com/ that redirect to a page on the Smart Passive Income website? Do you have a question about your website setup? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Encourage My Listeners to Record Their Questions? Jul 27, 2016

Today's question comes from Jason, who has a call-in show. His listeners are comfortable emailing questions; how does he get them to record their questions using Speakpipe? Jason's site is http://cameraquestion.com/. To enter to win the t-shirt from this episode, use #AskPat657 on Twitter. The tool that Jason references (and the one that I use for AskPat) is Speakpipe (http://www.askpat.com/speakpipe). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Niche Involves the Use of Dangerous Equipment. How Do I Protect My Business Legally? Jul 26, 2016

Today's question comes from Serena, who has a blog that offers advice that involves the use of potentially dangerous tools and chemicals. How does she protect herself legally? Serena's site is http://thriftdiving.com/. Do you have a question about the legal side of your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are the Best Practices for Conducting Interviews Over Skype? Jul 25, 2016

Today's question comes from Taj, who asks about using Skype for interviews. What are the best practices for using video? Here's the Mixergy Ugly Webcam infographic: https://mixergy.com/infographic-webcam-settings/. Do you have a question about interviewing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Run a Weekly Q&A? Jul 22, 2016

Today's question comes from Andrea, who wants to run a weekly question-and-answer session for her audience. What's the software for this? Andrea's site is http://godiaperfree.com/. For a recurring Q&A, I recommend GoToWebinar (http://www.askpat.com/gotowebinar). The other tools I recommend are WebinarNinja (https://webinarninja.co/; use discount code "patflynn") and Huzza (https://huzza.io/). The WordPress plugin I mention is Pretty Link (https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/). Do you have a question about webinars? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Send Email Subscribers to YouTube or to My Website? Jul 21, 2016

Today's question comes from James, who asks about how to best share his videos with his email subscribers. Should he send them to YouTube or should he send them to his website? James's site is http://jamesshipwayguitar.com/. Do you have a question about sharing your content with your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Keep Work and Personal Separate on Facebook? Jul 20, 2016

Today's question comes from Chris, who asks about managing Facebook when you have a business. How can he separate what he shows to a business audience versus what he would like to share with friends and family? Do you have a question about managing social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Content Do I Send to My Podcast's Email List? Jul 19, 2016

Today's question comes from Mike, who asks about his email list. Now that he is getting subscribers, what type of content should he send to them? Mike's site is http://www.travelnursingclassroom.com/. Mike mentions my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). Learn about Teachable's "Crazy Eight Email Strategy" (http://blog.teachable.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-launching-your-online-course). To learn more about email management, go to http://emailthesmartway.com. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Become a Good Guest Blogger? Jul 18, 2016

Today's question comes from Katie, who asks about guest posting. How does she know what makes for a fair exchange? Here's the Viperchill article on guest blogging: http://www.viperchill.com/guest-blogging/. Do you have a question about guest blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Are You an Advisor to Other Companies? Jul 15, 2016

Today's question comes from Adam, who asks a question about something he read in my book, Will It Fly? I'm an advisor for several companies, and Adam asks what my goal is in acting as an advisor for these companies. What is it that I get out of this relationship? Adam's site is http://morningroar.com/. Do you have a question about your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Podcast in English? It's Not My First Language. Jul 14, 2016

Today's question comes from Michael, who asks about podcasting. Will the fact that English is his second language hurt his podcast? The Polish podcaster I mention is Michal Szafranski (http://jakoszczedzacpieniadze.pl/). The podcast microphone I recommend is the AudioTechnica ATR 2100. For more on starting a podcast, check out my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). Do you have a question about starting a podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are Job Boards a Good Monetization Strategy? Jul 13, 2016

Today's question comes from Tim, who asks about job boards. Are they a good way to monetize a career website? Tim references my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). The job site I reference is Indeed (http://indeed.com) and the Indeed Publisher Program (http://www.indeed.com/publisher). Do you have a question about monetizing your niche site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Delete or Update My Old Podcasts? Jul 12, 2016

Today's question comes from John, who asks about conducting a content audit with podcasts. Should he delete older episodes of his show that are no longer relevant? John's site is http://thewiredhomeschool.com/. In this episode, John references Smart Passive Income Podcast #200 with Todd Tresidder (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/how-to-do-a-content-audit-with-todd-tresidder/). Do you have a question about managing your site's content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Set Up a Special WordPress Category Archive? Jul 11, 2016

Today's question comes from Winnie, who asks about WordPress category pages. How do you set up a separate blog and podcast page? Winnie's site is http://theletstalktechshow.com/. In this episode, I mention hiring developers at Upwork (http://askpat.com/upwork). Do you have a question about setting up your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have You Used Infusionsoft? Jul 08, 2016

Today's question comes from Jen, who asks about Infusionsoft. Have I heard of it? What do I think about it? Here is the post I mentioned about my switch to, and then from, Infusionsoft: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/why-i-switched-from-aweber-to-infusionsoft-to-convertkit/. My affiliate link for ConvertKit is http://askpat.com/convertkit. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Schedule the Goals I Want to Achieve? Jul 07, 2016

Today's question comes from Cathy, who is organizing her goals. How can she schedule the tasks that she wants to accomplish? The books I mention in this episode are Essentialism by Greg McKeown (askpat.com/essentialism) and The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan (http://www.the1thing.com/). Do you have a question about productivity? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are the Must-Haves for Starting a Podcast? Jul 06, 2016

Today's question comes from Matt, who is in the process of starting a new podcast. Getting started is expensive; which are the parts that he must spend money on? I recommend the following tools and services: Bluehost (http://askpat.com/bluehost); Buzzsprout (http://buzzsprout.com) or Libsyn (http://libsyn.com); My podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com); AudioTechnica ATR 2100 microphone; Audacity (http://www.audacityteam.org/); Studiopress (http://www.studiopress.com/); Themeforest (http://themeforest.net/); Woothemes (https://www.woothemes.com/); Audiojungle (http://audiojungle.net/); Fiverr (http://fiverr.com/). Do you have a question about starting a podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should My Course Use a Facebook Group for Comments and Questions? Jul 05, 2016

Today's question comes from Jane, who has a course and is thinking about how to manage comments. Should she keep them within the course platform, or should she start a Facebook Group specifically for comments and questions? Do you have a question about courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should My Podcast Share My Brick-and-Mortar Business's Website? Jul 04, 2016

Today's question comes from Joel, who has a service business. He's starting a podcast that will reach an audience beyond his brick-and-mortar business. Should he create a separate website for the podcast, or can he host it on his existing business website? Joel's site is http://lifestylechirocenter.com/. Do you have a question about promoting your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Start a Business but Stay Anonymous? Jul 01, 2016

Today's question comes from a caller who wishes to remain anonymous—and asks about starting a business anonymously. Is this possible? In this episode, I discuss a lot of different content creators who don't use their own names, including Stampylongnose (https://www.youtube.com/user/stampylonghead), Ballistic Squid (https://www.youtube.com/user/iBallisticSquid), and The Blog Tyrant (http://www.blogtyrant.com/). Do you have a question about starting a business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Your Favorite Live Events and Conferences? Jun 30, 2016

Today's question comes from Jillian, who is looking for live events to attend. Which events would I recommend? The events I recommend in this episode are: Everything Food Conference: http://www.foodbloggingconference.com/ Social Media Marketing World: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/smmworld/ Podcast Movement: http://podcastmovement.com/ FinCon: https://finconexpo.com/ Smart Success Summit: http://smartsuccess.com/ See my speaking page: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/speaking Do you have a question about networking events? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Put My Podcast on My Website? Jun 29, 2016

Today's question comes from Anita, who has a question about podcast hosts. How does she host her files on Libsyn but get them to show up on her website? Anita's question is http://www.simplyspeakinggenealogy.com/. If you are starting a podcast, check out my free podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). Your podcast host (like Libsyn), will offer you a podcast player to use. The other two WordPress plugins I mention are Powerpress (http://create.blubrry.com/resources/powerpress/) or my own Smart Podcast Player (http://smartpodcastplayer.com). The two file hosts I discuss are Libysn (http://libsyn.com) and Buzzsprout (http://buzzsprout.com). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Your Affiliate Income a Realistic Goal? Jun 28, 2016

Today's question comes from Jon, who is new to affiliate marketing. It is still possible for someone to make the high affiliate income that I currently have? Jon references my income reports: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/income-reports/. Do you have a question about passive income? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have a Quality Product But a Small Fan Base. How Should I Promote My Product? Jun 27, 2016

Today's question comes from Shawn, who asks about promoting a self-published book. He has a quality product but a small fan base; where should he put his time? In this episode, I talk about Facebook ads experts Amy Porterfield (http://www.amyporterfield.com/) and Rick Mulready (http://rickmulready.com/). Do you have a question about promoting your products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Is the Best Time to Post on Social Media? Jun 24, 2016

Today's question comes from Gil, who asks about the best time to post content on various social media platforms. Find Gil on Twitter at https://twitter.com/gilliamwallace. The tool I mention in this episode is Tweriod (http://www.tweriod.com/). Find the HubSpot infographic I mentioned here (http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/best-times-post-pin-tweet-social-media-infographic). Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Find me on social media! My user name on Instagram, Twitter, and Periscope is @patflynn. My user name on Snapchat is @patflynnspi. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Traffic Do I Need to Meet My Advertising Revenue Goal? Jun 23, 2016

Today's question comes from Sanyog, who is building a site to help students prepare for an exam. If he would like to make $4000/month in Google advertising revenue, how much traffic will he need? In this episode, I share how I would start to build a business around test preparation, which is how I got started with passive income. I reference my friend Cornelius from PM Prepcast (https://www.project-management-prepcast.com/). For advice on validating your idea for a business, check out my new book Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about starting your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Promote Affiliate Products? Jun 22, 2016

AP 0632: How Should I Promote Affiliate Products? Today's question comes from Phillip, who has a question about affiliate marketing. Should he use the provided swipe files and sales page, or should he create his own personalized content? The affiliate landing page I discuss is http://askpat.com/bluehost. Do you have a question about affiliate marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my guide on affiliate marketing at http://affiliatemarketingthesmartway.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make the Most of My Mailing List for My Community Site? Jun 21, 2016

Today's question comes from Tyler, who runs a site that isn't based around content, but rather around connecting League of Legends players with each other. How does he make the most of his mailing list? Tyler's site is http://loltraininghouse.com/. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Just Starting My Website. What Should I Do First? Jun 20, 2016

Today's question comes from Matthew, who is just getting started. After he has his website running, what should he do next? Should he start with ConvertKit or LeadPages? In this episode, I talk about ConvertKit (http://askpat.com/convertkit), AWeber (http://askpat.com/aweber) and LeadPages (http://askpat.com/leadpages). My recommended website host is Bluehost (http://askpat.com/bluehost). Do you have a question about starting your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Create a Launch Team for My Podcast? Jun 17, 2016

Today's question comes from David, who has a question about podcast launches. Should he create a launch team for a podcast? Can a small launch team make a difference? If you're starting a podcast, check out my free advice at http://podcastingtutorial.com/. Do you have a question about podcast launches? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Content Should I Share After My Kickstarter? Jun 16, 2016

Today's question comes from Andrew, who is struggling to figure out what kind of content to create for his Kickstarter audience. Now that he has delivered on the Kickstarter, what kind of content should he share with his audience? Andrew's site is http://www.andhegames.com/. Do you have a question about content creation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is My Niche Too Narrow? Jun 15, 2016

Today's question comes from GTO, who has a question about his friend's website, which serves a Pittsburgh neighborhood. Is the site's niche too narrow? The website is http://homewoodnation.com/. Do you have a question about your niche site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Record Your Podcast Intros? Jun 14, 2016

Today's question comes from GTO, who asks about my intros for the Smart Passive Income Podcast. How do I record those? The program I use to record is Adobe Audition, but you could use any recording program like Garage Band, Audacity, or Reaper. Do you have a question about recording? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Active Campaign. To learn more about their integrated, automated marketing campaign and to get a free trial, visit http://activecampaign.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is YouTube Worth My Time? Jun 13, 2016

Today's question comes from Matt, who is considering building a YouTube channel for his site. Is YouTube worth his time? Matt's site is http://buddhaimonia.com/. Do you have a question about expanding your brand? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can My Email Subject Line Impact Click-Through Rates? Jun 10, 2016

Today's question comes from Michael, who has been split-testing his email subject lines. Can the email's subject line affect the click-throughs that the reader makes? Share your thoughts on this topic on Twitter at #AskPat624. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Active Campaign. To learn more about their integrated, automated marketing campaign and to get a free trial, visit http://activecampaign.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Stay Focused on a Big Project? Jun 09, 2016

Today's question comes from Matt, who asks about the writing process for my book, Will It Fly? How did I stay focused on that project while keeping the rest of my business running? I recommend the book The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan (http://www.the1thing.com/). Do you have a question about managing projects? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Earth Class Mail. Earth Class Mail brings your snail mail to the cloud. Go to https://www.earthclassmail.com/pat to get your first month free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Need LeadPages to Deliver Free Downloads to My Readers? Jun 08, 2016

Today's question comes from Danielle, who asks about offering free downloadable content with her posts. Does she need LeadPages in order to offer this content? Danielle's site is http://textpanther.com/. In this episode, Danielle talks about how Amy Porterfield offers downloadable content (http://amyporterfield.com/). The WordPress plugin I mention is Pretty Link (https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/). Do you have a question about how to provide content to your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Should Teenagers Know about Building Online Businesses? Jun 07, 2016

Today's question comes from Thomas, who is fifteen and building an online business. What does he need to know about building an online business and building passive income at his age? Thomas's site is http://wewearshirts.com/. I share my thoughts on getting started in online business while still in school. Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Encourage Followers to Subscribe to My Facebook Fan Page? Jun 06, 2016

Today's question comes from John, who has a question about Facebook. How does he get followers to like his fan pages, rather than request to follow him personally? John's website is http://www.writersauthorsonfire.com/. Do you have a question about Facebook for your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Know How Well My Site Is Doing? Jun 03, 2016

Today's question comes from Kyle, who has a new website. How does he determine how well his site is doing? Which statistics matter? Kyle's site is http://studywebdevelopment.com/. Do you have a question about determining your website's growth? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If I Buy a Website, How Does the Transfer Process Work? Jun 02, 2016

Today's question comes from Charles, who asks about buying websites. How does the transfer process work? You can buy websites through Flippa (http://flippa.com). Do you have a question about buying websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Active Campaign. To learn more about their integrated, automated marketing campaign and to get a free trial, visit http://activecampaign.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Convert a Word Document into a Professional PDF? Jun 01, 2016

Today's question comes from Monik, who is working on an ebook. What is the best way to convert a Word document into a professional PDF? For advice on writing an ebook, check out my guide, Ebooks the Smart Way (http://ebooksthesmartway.com). To find designers, try our sponsor today or Upwork (http://upwork.com) or Fiverr (http://fiverr.com). Do you have a question about creating ebooks? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Tools Do You Use in Your Whiteboard Videos? May 31, 2016

Today's question comes from Pat, who asks about my explainer videos. What drawing program do I use? The pen/table tool that I use is Wacom Bamboo tablet (the exact model is no longer available; search Amazon for "Wacom tablet"). For screen recording, I recommend Screenflow for Mac (http://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm) or Camtasia for PCs (https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html). I also use the pen tool in Omnidazzle (http://omnidazzle.en.softonic.com/mac). Do you have a question about screen recordings? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Quickly Bring in New Clients? May 30, 2016

Today's question comes from Jeremy, whose biggest client no longer needs his services. How can he quickly bring in new clients? In this episode, I discuss Upwork (http://upwork.com), Freelancer.com (http://freelancer.com), and Fiverr (http://fiverr.com), as well as my own videographer, Caleb Wojcik (http://www.calebwojcik.com/). Do you have a question about bringing in business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Active Campaign. To learn more about their integrated, automated marketing campaign and to get a free trial, visit http://activecampaign.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Get More Views for My Video Podcast? May 27, 2016

Today's question comes from David, who has a question about YouTube. How can he get more traffic to his videos? David's site is http://bartenderhq.com/. To enter to win an AskPat t-shirt, use #AskPat614 in a tweet by June 3, 2016. In this episode, I discuss the Mixergy podcast (https://mixergy.com/interviews/) and Eventual Millionaire (http://eventualmillionaire.com/blog/). Do you have a question about videos? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Write Your Book? May 26, 2016

Today's question comes from Travis, who asks about about my new book, Will It Fly? How did I write the book? What tools and habits did I use? Travis is talking about my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly? (http://willitflybook.com). In this episode, I talk about the writing program Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php). The transcription tool that I used is Rev (http://rev.com). You can find the SPI TV playlist on YouTube at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/spitv-playlist. Do you have a question about writing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create Good Content? May 25, 2016

Today's question comes from Manjit, who is getting started with his site and who needs a boost of confidence. How does he create good content for his readers, such as with writing an ebook? I put together a guide for creating ebooks (http://ebooksthesmartway.com). Do you have a question about content creation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Design Crowd. To learn more about working with their designers, go to http://designcrowd.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will a Film Audience Cross Genres? May 24, 2016

Today's question comes from Michael, who asks about building an audience for a film. Can a film studio reach out to audiences for their past films, even if their new film is in a different genre? Michael mentions Smart Passive Income Podcast Session 31 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session31). Do you have a question about connecting with your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Active Campaign. To learn more about their integrated, automated marketing campaign and to get a free trial, visit http://activecampaign.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Passive Is Your Income Really? May 23, 2016

Today's question comes from Menasheh, who poses a hypothetical question: if I were to quit working today, how passive is my income? In this episode, I mention my income reports (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/income-reports/). I also mention my boo, Will It Fly? (http://willitflybook.com). Do you have a question about passive income? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Use Upwork to Find Business Partners? May 20, 2016

Today's question comes from Mark, who asks how to use Elance (now called Upwork) to find business partners. Is it a good place to find a business partner? In this episode, we discuss Upwork, which is the company that was formed by the merger of Elance and oDesk (http://upwork.com). I share my advice for vetting contractors on Upwork. Do you have a question about finding business partners? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Should I Do When My Competitor Joins My Email List? May 19, 2016

Today's question comes from Sarah, who has noticed that a few competitors have joined her email list. What should she do, delete them? Keep them? Sarah's site is http://thefreelancenaturopath.com/. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Rank on Google with Only a Landing Page? May 18, 2016

Today's question comes from Lucas, who asks about starting a new website. Is it possible to rank on the front page of Google with only a "coming soon" landing page? In this episode I talk about Amy Porterfield's list-building strategy (http://www.amyporterfield.com/). Do you have a question about starting your new business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Separate the Brands of My Business and Podcast? May 17, 2016

Today's question comes from Priest, who has a question about marketing his podcast. Should he market his podcast as a separate brand, or should he keep it with his existing audience? Priest's site is http://www.affiliatemission.com/. Do you have a question about marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Active Campaign. To learn more about their integrated, automated marketing campaign and to get a free trial, visit http://activecampaign.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Convert Podcast Listeners into Website Visitors? May 16, 2016

Today's question comes from Pete, who has a successful podcast. How does he convert his podcast listeners into website visitors? Pete's site is http://meaningfulmoney.tv/. In this episode I talk about Amy Porterfield's podcast and website (http://www.amyporterfield.com/), as well as the LeadPages podcast, ConversionCast (http://podcast.leadpages.net/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Someone Is Copying Your Website. May 13, 2016

Today is a little bit different. A kind, anonymous caller let me know about a website that is copying me. I've seen this before, both with my own site and sites of others. In this episode, I share my thoughts on copying and getting copied. Do you have a question about starting your own business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Help! I Have Trouble Sticking with My Ideas. May 12, 2016

Today's question comes from Kyle, who has trouble sticking with his ideas. How can he learn to stick with his ideas? In today's episode, I talk about Steven Pressfield's book, The War of Art (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/war). Do you have a question about getting a new business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Active Campaign. To learn more about their integrated, automated marketing campaign and to get a free trial, visit http://activecampaign.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Didn't You Use BlogTalk Radio? May 11, 2016

Today's question comes from Ileana, who asks about BlogTalk Radio. Why didn't I publish my podcast with BlogTalk Radio? If you're considering starting a podcast, check out my free tutorial (http://podcastingtutorial.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Know the Niche I've Chosen Is Good? May 10, 2016

Today's question comes from Jamal, who asks about validating a niche selection. How can he tell if the niche he has chosen is a valid choice for a business? In this episode, I reference Steven Pressfield's book, The War of Art. Do you have a question about keyword research? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does ConvertKit Replace LeadPages? May 09, 2016

Today's question comes from Lea, who is using both ConvertKit and LeadPages. What is the best way to use these services together, or does ConvertKit replace LeadPages? Lea's site is http://www.leapica.com/. In this episode I discuss my Smart Passive Income Podcast interview with Clay Collins (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session78). To enter to win the AskPat t-shirt, send a tweet with #AskPat600 by 05/15. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have Two Hours Per Day to Build My Business. What Should I Work On? May 06, 2016

Today's question comes from Eric, who has two hours available each day to dedicate to his business. How should he spend those two hours? The phases I mention in today's show are covered in my new book, Will It Fly? (http://willitflybook.com). Do you have a question about prioritizing your time? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I've Spent Too Much Money on Courses. Where Do I Find Partners for Joint Ventures? May 05, 2016

Today's question comes from Bob, who has spent a lot of money in online business courses, but with no result. Where can he find business partners? In this episode, I mention Internet Business Mastery Academy (http://smartpassiveincome.com/ibm), Youpreneur from Chris Ducker (http://www.chrisducker.com/youpreneur/), Michael Hyatt's Platform University (https://platformuniversity.com/influence/), and Fizzle (http://askpat.com/fizzle). Do you have a question about getting started in online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Active Campaign. To learn more about their integrated, automated marketing campaign and to get a free trial, visit http://activecampaign.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make My Website More Professional? May 04, 2016

Today's question comes from Paul, who asks how to make his course sales process more professional. Does he need to take the time to learn how to manage each element, or should he take the time to hire out help? Paul's website is https://safetysolutionsacademy.com/. In this episode, I recommend finding developers on Upwork (http://upwork.com). If you have experience with the tool, Magento, that Paul mentions, share your advice with #AskPat597. Do you have a question about improving your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Harry's, who provides great razors and shaving products. Go to http://www.harrys.com/ and use the promo code "AskPat." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Use Blog Post Excerpt Email Subscriptions? May 03, 2016

Today's question comes from Vladimir, who has a question about blog post email subscriptions. Should he send readers the full text of the post or should he only send an excerpt? Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Prepare My Audience For My Paid Offerings May 02, 2016

Today's question comes from Mark, who has built up an audience by providing free content. How can he transition his audience from free content to paid content? Mark's site is http://www.healthynomics.com/. Do you have a question about beginning to sell to your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Find Sponsors For My Podcasts? Apr 29, 2016

Today's question comes from Martie, who asks about sponsorships for podcasts and videos. How do I find my sponsors? Martie's site is http://letsbuildwp.com/. I discussed podcast sponsorship with my guests on Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 180 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session180). I work with The Midroll for some of podcast sponsorship (http://www.midroll.com/). Do you have a question about podcast sponsorships? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Monetize My Website? Apr 28, 2016

Today's question comes from Priscilla, who has a website that she has been working on for five years. What does she need to do to start making money from her site? Priscilla's site is http://www.africancurls.com/. To help with website security issues, I recommend WP Curve (http://wpcurve.com/) and/or start using Securi (https://sucuri.net/). I recommend creating a course on Udemy (https://www.udemy.com/). Do you have a question about monetizing your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Build a Business Around Affiliate Sales? Apr 27, 2016

Today's question comes from Gil, who asks about using a podcast or live stream to drive affiliate sales. Find Gil on Twitter at https://twitter.com/gilliamwallace. I share my thoughts on how to build a business based on affiliate sales. Do you have a question about affiliate sales? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Harry's, who provides great razors and shaving products. Go to http://www.harrys.com/ and use the promo code "AskPat." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Keyword Research Still a Good Way to Find Business Ideas? Apr 26, 2016

Today's question comes from Brad, who asks about keyword research. Is this still a good way to find ideas for new businesses? Do you have a question about researching business ideas? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Invite a Competitor to Join My Mastermind Group? Apr 25, 2016

Today's question comes from Scott, who asks about masterminds. Is it acceptable to invite a competitor to join his group? Scott's site is http://freeteachertech.com/. Listen to Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 180 to hear two competitors who are in the same mastermind group (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session180). Do you have a question about masterminds? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Need Two Separate Websites? Apr 22, 2016

Today's question comes from Brendon, who has a heavy metal band. On the band's website, not only do they provide fan content, but also advice to other aspiring bands. Should he create a separate website for the entrepreneurial content, or keep it on the same site as the music content? Brendon's site is http://www.claimthethrone.com/. Do you have a question about promoting your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Should I Include in My Podcast Pre-Launch Strategy? Apr 21, 2016

Today's question comes from Luke, who is planning to create a podcast. What should he include in his pre-launch strategy? Luke's site is http://lukeguy.com/. My interview with Daniel Decker on the Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 198 talks about book launches, but absolutely applies to launching a podcast (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session198). I also mention the ConversionCast podcast (http://podcast.leadpages.net/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Okay to Sell Without Providing Free Content? Apr 20, 2016

Today's question comes from Kevin, who asks about providing free value vs. paying for traffic to sales pages. Kevin's site is http://hyperlush.com/. I share my thoughts on businesses built around cold traffic. Do you have a question about marketing your products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get People to Use My Site? Apr 19, 2016

Today's question comes from Sean, who is having trouble convincing people to use his project-sharing site. How can he get users to understand the appeal of his site? Sean's site is http://www.simplecove.com/ I mention some exercises for finding your unique selling proposition from my book, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about marketing your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will My Name Hurt My Business? Apr 18, 2016

Today's question comes from Daryl, who is planning to start a business. He shares a name with a famous singer—is this a positive or a negative when starting a business? In this episode, I talk about my SPI TV interview with Sean McCabe, who uses a different name professionally (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/tv/how-sean-mccabe-focused-his-way-into-entrepreneurship/). Do you have a question about starting your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's a Good Email Open Rate? Apr 15, 2016

Today's question comes from Ray, who asks about email marketing and sales conversion. What are healthy email open and conversion rates? Ray mentions Nathan Barry, who is an expert in online selling (and is the creator of ConvertKit: http://nathanbarry.com/). Do you have a question about email marketing. Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. I would so appreciate an honest review of the AskPat Podcast in iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/askpat-your-online-business/id806364627?mt=2 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Offer Exclusive Content to My Email Subscribers? Apr 14, 2016

Today's question comes from Claudius, who asks about building an email list for his book review site. Specifically, he would like to create exclusive content available only to email subscribers. Which tools should he use to set this up? In this episode I talk about my favorite email service provider, ConvertKit (http://askpat.com/convertkit) and a great tool for sign up forms, LeadPages (http://askpat.com/leadpages). Check out Episode 78 of the Smart Passive Income Podcast to learn about rapid email list building (smartpassiveincome.com/session78). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Market an Expensive Trip to My Audience? Apr 13, 2016

Today's question comes from Brooke, who has a marketing question. What recommendations do I have for marketing an expensive travel adventure? Brooke's site is https://yogatraveltree.com/. In this episode, I give the example of Chris Ducker's Tropical Think Tank (http://www.chrisducker.com/ttt/). Do you have a question about marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Get Facebook Influencers to Share My Content? Apr 12, 2016

Today's question comes from Brandon, who is having trouble gaining traction with thought leaders in his industry. How can he convince larger Facebook groups to share his content? Brandon's site is http://www.bootstrappingthefoodrevolution.com/. Do you have a question about networking with influencers? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Deal with Competition Who Has the Same Name? Apr 11, 2016

Today's question comes from Glenn, who has an existing podcast and website. How should he handle competition from someone with the same business name as him? Glenn’s site is http://amiibotrainer.com. Do you have a question about dealing with competition? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out the Audible audiobook version my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Expand My Professional Network? Apr 08, 2016

Today's question comes from Tiffany, who is looking to expand her professional network. Which conferences would I recommend to meet other savvy online entrepreneurs? Tiffany’s site is http://heytiffany.com. Tiffany mentions Ramit Sethi’s Zero to Launch course (http://askpat.com/ztl). The conferences I recommend are Social Media Marketing World (http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/smmworld/), Podcast Movement (http://podcastmovement.com/), FinCon (https://finconexpo.com/), and Traffic and Conversion Summit (https://trafficandconversionsummit.com/). Online communities include David Siteman Garland’s community (http://www.therisetothetop.com/), Fizzle.co (http://fizzle.com), Youpreneur.com (http://youpreneur.com). Do you have a question about networking and building relationships? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Repurpose My Content on Other Sites Like Medium or Quora? Apr 07, 2016

Today's question comes from Glenn, who asks about reposting his content on sites like Medium or Quora. Is it a good idea to repost his content verbatim on these sites? Should he rework the content for those sites? Glenn’s site is http://thecasualcapitalist.com. In this episode, Glenn and I discuss Medium (http://www.medium.com), Quora (http://www.quora.com) and Anchor (https://anchor.fm/). Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Manage Affiliate Payments? Apr 06, 2016

Today's question comes from Janet, who asks about preparing content for her affiliates. How should she manage her affiliate payments? How can she create social media sharable content for them? Janet’s site is http://www.getsocialhealth.com/. In this episode, I mention setting up swipe copy pages with integrations for Infusionsoft (http://askpat.com/infusionsoft), Ontraport (https://ontraport.com/), and Active Campaign (http://www.activecampaign.com/). Gumroad (http://gumroad.com) is another solution for affiliate management (http://www.gumroad.com). To find help with legal services, find an attorney or search on Upwork.com. Do you have a question about affiliate marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Email Service Provider Should I Use? Apr 05, 2016

Today's question comes from Alexia, who asks about email marketing. Which email service should she use? Can she start with a provider for smaller lists first and upgrade later? Also, can she email people she knows who did not opt in to an email list? Alexia’s site is http://capitalizesocial.com. Alexia mentions two episodes of the Smart Passive Income Podcast, Session 159 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/autoresponder-email-best-practices/) and Session 185 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/the-story-behind-convertkit-with-nathan-barry/) . The email service providers Alexia mentions and I discuss are Active Campaign (http://www.activecampaign.com/), Infusionsoft (http://askpat.com/infusionsoft), and ConvertKit (http://askpat.com/convertkit). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Share your thoughts on this episode on Twitter using the hashtag #AskPat576.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Claim Social Media Accounts If I Won’t Use Them Right Away? Apr 04, 2016

Today's question comes from Diana, who asks about claiming social media handles for her new business. Should she claim social media accounts right away, even though she isn’t planning to use them immediately? Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I’m a Musician. How Can I Grow My Email List? Apr 01, 2016

Today's question comes from Applejaxx, an artist who asks how to grow and better engage with his email list. His free downloads are very popular—how can he get engagement with his other content? In this episode, I recommend Periscope (https://www.periscope.tv/) and Snapchat (https://www.snapchat.com/) as good ways to build engagement for an audience like Applejaxx has. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. If you have a podcast, check out the Smart Podcast Player, a beautiful podcast player for your website. Go to http://smartpodcastplayer.com to check it out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Have More Than One Target Customer Type? Mar 31, 2016

Today's question comes from Serena, who is struggling to determine who her target customer is. Can she have more than one type of target customer? Serena’s website is http://thriftdiving.com. In this episode, I mention the post by Kevin Kelly called 1,000 True Fans (http://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/). Do you have a question about determining who your customers are? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Include Interviews in a Paid Product? Mar 30, 2016

Today's question comes from Jakub, who asks about including interviews in a paid product. Should he compensate the people he interviews? Do you have a question about creating paid products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Convert Facebook Fans Into Customers? Mar 29, 2016

Today's question comes from Raylee, who has a huge quantity of Facebook fans, but almost no conversions. What should she do differently? I highly recommend reading Ask by Ryan Levesque, who I interviewed on Smart Passive Income Podcast #178 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session178). I also recommend validating ideas using exercises in my new book, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about selling to your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create Video Tutorials? Mar 28, 2016

Today's question comes from Tammy, who asks about the video tutorials I have on Smart Passive Income. Which tools do I use to create these tutorials? Tammy's site is https://trainingforlocalsmallbusinessowners.com/. For creating screen recording videos, I recommend using Screenflow (http://askpat.com/screenflow) or Camtasia (https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html). For drawing in Mac programs, I use OmniDazzle (http://omnidazzle.en.softonic.com/mac) and a Wacom tablet (http://askpat.com/tablet). Do you have a question about creating tutorials for your blogging audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Stay Safe While Sharing Personal Stories Online? Mar 25, 2016

Today's question comes from Ben, who asks how to share personal stories on his blog, while still staying safe. How can he protect himself from any malicious invasions of his privacy? Ben's site is http://theamateurcyclist.net/. Do you have a question about blogging and personal safety? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. The audiobook for my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, is available now at http://willitflybook.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Use Images in My Marketing and Autoresponder Emails? Mar 24, 2016

Today's question comes from Glenn, who asks about using ConvertKit email templates. Should he use images or stick to text only? Glenn discusses the email marketing service ConvertKit (http://askpat.com/convertkit). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Improve My Live Chats with Customers? Mar 23, 2016

Today's question comes from Matt, who has a chat feature on his website. What are some good tips for his agents to increase sales without seeming pushy? Matt's site is http://www.homeoanimal.com/. I mention an episode of the Smart Passive Income Podcast with Trevor Page (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/blog-ebook-membership-site/). Do you have a question about improving your interactions with fans and customers? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. My audiobook recording of Will It Fly? is now available at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Should I Track for My New Podcast? Mar 22, 2016

Today's question comes from Collin, who has recently started a podcast. What are the activities or statistics he should track? Collin's site is http://20se.co/. I share the four things I think all podcasters should track. The landing page I reference is http://emailthesmartway.com/. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Site's Traffic Beyond One Million Visitors? Mar 21, 2016

Today's question comes from Daniel, who asks about traffic growth. How can he maintain his site's traffic growth and reach one million visitors? Do you have a question about traffic to your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com. The Will It Fly? audiobook is now available through Audible! Check it out at http://willitflybook.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Many Podcast Episodes Do I Launch With? How Do I Schedule Episodes? Mar 18, 2016

Today's question comes from Travis, who asks about podcasting. How many episodes should he launch with and how does he schedule his episodes? Some podcast host to consider are Libsyn (http://www.libsyn.com/) and BuzzSprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can My Video Podcast Double as an Audio Podcast? Mar 17, 2016

Today's question comes from Molly, who asks about video podcasting. She has started a video podcast, but is wondering if she can also make it an audio podcast. Molly's site is http://thepreparedperformer.com/. Molly mentions my video podcast, SPI TV (https://www.youtube.com/user/smartpassiveincome). Do you have a question about video podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have a Local Business. Do I Need a Second Website When I Expand Into Online Business? Mar 16, 2016

Today's question comes from David, who has a local service-based business. He is expanding into online business to extend his reach. Should he start a second website, or can he make his local website work? David's site is http://www.mindfulmeanings.com/. In this episode I mention Smart Passive Income Podcast Session 37 with Lain Ehmann (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session37) Do you have a question about expanding a local business into an online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Worth Hiring a Podcast Editor? Mar 15, 2016

Today's question comes from Scott, who asks about podcast editing. Should he hire a podcast editor or do it himself? Scott's podcast is at https://www.facebook.com/theannapolispodcast/. Three sources for finding podcast editors are TwentyFourSound (http://www.twentyfoursound.com/), Music Radio Creative (http://www.musicradiocreative.com/), and Upwork (https://www.upwork.com/). If you're just getting a podcast started, check out my free podcasting tutorial (http://podcastingtutorial.com). Do you have a question about podcast editing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Hire an Executive Assistant Who Lives Near Me? Mar 14, 2016

Today's question comes from David, who wants to hire an executive assistant who lives near him. How can he find a reliable person to help with communication tasks? I have a special guest today! Jessica, my executive assistant answers David's question. Connect with Jessica on Twitter at https://twitter.com/galfriday612! Here is a coworking directory to help you find coworking spaces in your area: http://wiki.coworking.org/w/page/29303049/Directory. Do you have a question about hiring members for your team? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Switch My Podcast Feed to SoundCloud? Mar 11, 2016

Today's question comes from Daniel, who asks about switching his podcasting feed from Libsyn to SoundCloud. Daniel mentions my podcasting tutorial at PodcastingTutorial.com (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). In this episode, we talk about four different podcast hosts, Libsyn (http://www.libsyn.com/), SoundCloud (https://soundcloud.com/), BuzzSprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com/), and Podbean (http://podbean.com/). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Monetize My Website? Mar 10, 2016

Today's question comes from Gideon, who asks about monetizing his site. Can he make his site profitable? Gideon's site is http://gideonhanekom.com/. I have covered website monetization and online passive income in depth on Smart Passive Income Sessions 192, 193, and 194: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session192 http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session193 http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session194 A good tool for podcast monetization is Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/). I cover Patreon on Smart Passive Income Podcast Session (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session188). Learn more about productizing a service-based business on Smart Passive Income Podcast Session (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-productize-your-service-based-business/). Do you have a question about making money from your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Okay to Build a For-Profit Website Around My Kids? Mar 09, 2016

Today's question comes from Scott, whose daughter is a competitive gymnast. He wants to build a niche site around his daughter's career, but is that okay? In this episode, I talk about Evan from EvanTubeHD (https://www.youtube.com/user/EvanTubeHD). If you have thoughts on this topic, share them on Twitter using #AskPat557. Do you have a question about the intersection between your business and your family? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Add Forms and Pop-Ups to My Website? Mar 08, 2016

Today's question comes from Zycco, who asks about which sign-up forms his new website needs. Which services should he use to add these to his site? First, you need a good email service provider like ConvertKit (http://askpat.com/convertkit). Here are the tools I recommend in this episode: SumoMe (http://askpat.com/sumome) Rapidology (https://www.rapidology.com/) OptinMonster (http://optinmonster.com/) LeadPages (http://askpat.com/leadpages) Do you have a question about your website design? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Improve My Podcasting Delivery? Mar 07, 2016

Today's question comes from Glen, who asks about podcasting. What are some tips for improving the speaking quality in his podcast? I have worked with Kerri Ho for some podcast coaching (her website: http://thesongbirdtree.com/ and her YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSongbirdtree). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Started in Online Business? Mar 04, 2016

Today's question comes from Carl, who has decided that entrepreneurship is the right route for him. What are the first steps toward getting started? Do you have a question about getting started in entrepreneurship? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Do I Charge for Podcast Sponsorships? Mar 03, 2016

Today's question comes from Richard, who has some questions about podcast sponsorships. How much should he charge for advertisements? I also recommend Patreon as a way of monetizing your podcast. To learn more, listen to Smart Passive Income Podcast 188 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/patreon-a-potential-alternative-for-generating-an-income-online/). I use The Midroll for podcast sponsorships (http://www.midroll.com/). Do you have a question about monetizing your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Clean My Email List? Mar 02, 2016

Today's question comes from Paul, who has a question about email marketing. How should he go about cleaning his email list, to remove people who are no longer actively reading his emails? To share your thoughts on this topic on Twitter, use #AskPat552. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Infobarrel Still a Good Way to Make Passive Income? Mar 01, 2016

Today's question comes from Josh, who asks about an old episode of the Smart Passive Income Podcast that talks about writing for Infobarrel. Is this still a good way to make passive income? I recently updated my podcast series on getting started with passive income. There are three episodes in the series, Smart Passive Income Podcast No. 192–194: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session192 http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session193 http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session194 I would recommend writing on Medium.com (https://medium.com/). Do you have a question about passive income? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can a Solopreneur Sell Their Business? Feb 29, 2016

Today's question comes from Harsh, who asks about selling a business. Is it hard for a solopreneur to sell a business? Harsh's site is http://fireyourmentor.com/. Do you have a question about selling your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Need Insurance for My Online Business? Feb 26, 2016

Today's question comes from Liz, who asks about insurance. Does she need insurance for an online business? Do you have a question about legal side of your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get My Social Media Ready for a New Business? Feb 25, 2016

Today's question comes from Josh, who asks how to prepare his social media presence before he starts his business. Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Narrow My eCommerce Site's Offering? Feb 24, 2016

Today's question comes from Valerie, who asks a question about her ecommerce site. Should she narrow her offering to focus on what sold best in her brick-and-mortar shop? Valerie's site is http://bambulei.com/. One of the tools I recommend using is Optimizely (https://www.optimizely.com/). Learn more about retargeting, which I discuss with Kimra Luna in Smart Passive Income Episode 181 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session181). Do you have a question about selling online? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Long Should Email Autoresponders Last? Feb 23, 2016

Today's question comes from Sarah, who has a question about using autoresponders for email marketing. Who should get the autoresponders and how long should they go on? Sarah talks about my guide, Email the Smart Way (http://emailthesmartway.com). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is WordPress The Best Platform For An Online Business? Feb 22, 2016

Today's question comes from David, who has two brick and mortar businesses, but now he's ready to move online. He has previously used Weebly to build websites. Is WordPress what I would recommend for building a website for an online business? Find David online at https://twitter.com/mindfulmeanings. David has previously used Weebly (http://www.weebly.com/). WordPress is what I typically recommend (https://wordpress.org/). Share your thoughts on platforms on Twitter using #AskPat545. Do you have a question about getting your online business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Afraid of Failing. When Should I Start? Feb 19, 2016

Today's question comes from Andrew, who is struggling to overcome a fear of failure. Should he keep researching, or should he launch now? Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Long Should I Test Web Tools? Feb 18, 2016

Today's question comes from Yazmin, who is trying out a web service that hasn't worked as expected. How long should she test it out before turning it off? Yazmin's site is http://thefamilybrick.com/. Do you have a question about optimizing your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Did You Start An LLC? Feb 18, 2016

Today's question comes from Collins, who wants to know why I formed an LLC for Smart Passive Income. This is the article Collins references: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/why-i-switched-from-aweber-to-infusionsoft-to-convertkit/. Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Choose Between Creating a Lead Magnet or an Epic Post? Feb 16, 2016

Today's question comes from Benji, who asks about content. How should he choose what becomes a lead magnet and what becomes epic content that lives on the blog? Benji's site is http://www.thecoffeeconcierge.net/. Do you have a question about your blog content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Starting A Website. Where Should I Spend My Money? Feb 15, 2016

AP 0540: I'm Starting a Website. Where Should I Spend My Money? Today's question comes from James, who asks where to spend money when starting a new website. Where's the best place to spend money when getting started? James's site is http://www.jamesjenneman.com/. The conference James references is the LeadPages Converted conference (http://converted.com/conference/). The course James mentions is Ramit Sethi's Zero to Launch (http://askpat.com/ztls). Jamie Tardy Masters has a coaching course called Hustlers (http://eventualmillionaire.com/). Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. LeadPages has a free tool called Rapidology, which will help you build your email list. Got to https://www.rapidology.com/. Thanks for helping me make the Wall Street Journal's bestseller list!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who Has Influenced You and Your Business? Feb 12, 2016

Today's question comes from Matt, who asks which bloggers have influenced me and my sites. In this episode I talk about just-in-time learning. I was inspired to get started by Internet Business Mastery (http://www.internetbusinessmastery.com/). Darren Rowse has always been inspiring and has provided a great example (http://problogger.com/). The first person to share me with their audience was Yaro Starak (https://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/). Tim Ferriss (http://fourhourworkweek.com/), Ramit Sethi (http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/), and Lewis Howes (http://lewishowes.com/) have inspired me to grow my business. Adam Braun has inspired me toward greater philanthropy (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/changing-the-world/), including through Pencils of Promise (https://pencilsofpromise.org/). I'm also inspired by Elon Musk (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk). Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Should I Continue with Content Marketing? Feb 11, 2016

Today's question comes from Isloooboy, who asks why he should continue with content marketing, when after five years he hasn't made any profit. It's a great question. Isloooboy's site is http://isloootalkingpoint.com/. In this episode, I talk about my site, Security Guard Training HQ (http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/) Do you have a question about content marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ConvertKit for providing an excellent email experience for bloggers with online businesses like mine. Check out http://askpat.com/convertkit for more information.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Started in a Saturated Niche? Feb 10, 2016

Today's question comes from Dale, who asks how to get started in a saturated niche. How do you break in amongst the noise? I talk about crowded niches with Steve Kamb on Smart Passive Income Podcast 196 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-level-up-your-life-with-steve-kamb/). Neil Patel shared a good strategy for evaluating your competitors on Episode #67 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/neil-patel-seo/). Derek Halpern shares his strategies for getting your message seen on Episode #184 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/psychological-strategies-to-improve-email-conversion-with-derek-halpern/). I share an exercise from my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about crowded niches? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Write Review Posts On Expensive Equipment? Feb 09, 2016

AP 0536: How Do I Write Review Posts on Expensive Equipment? Today's question comes from Curtis, who wants to write more review posts, but can't afford all of the equipment. How can he do this? Curtis's site is http://www.everythinghamradio.com/. Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Type Of Call To Action (CTA) Should I Use? Feb 08, 2016

AP 0535: Which Type of Call To Action (CTA) Should I Use? Today's question comes from Ramon, who asks about the best way to handle call to action (CTAs) on a sales page. Do you have a question about selling products online? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Podcast Host Is Best for Short-Run Podcasts? Feb 05, 2016

Today's question comes from Travis, who is planning a series of short-run podcasts (or nanocasts). Which is the best podcast host for this situation? Travis's site is http://www.providfilms.com/. The hosts I discuss in this episode are SoundCloud (https://soundcloud.com/stream), Libsyn (http://www.libsyn.com/ with the coupon code: SPI), and Podbean (http://www.podbean.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Can I Find a Good Transcriptionist? Feb 04, 2016

Today's question comes from Lain, who asks about transcriptions. Where is a good place to find a transcriptionist? In this episode I mention James Schramko's podcast (http://www.superfastbusiness.com/). I've used transcriptionists from Upwork (merger of oDesk and Elance; http://upwork.com). Lately I have been using Rev for some transcriptions (https://www.rev.com/freelancers/transcription) and Fiverr (https://www.fiverr.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Make My eBooks Printable? Feb 03, 2016

Today's question comes from Glenn, who asks about formatting ebooks. Should ebooks be graphic-heavy or should they be printable? Do you have a question about ebooks? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Know My Project Partner Is A Good Fit? Feb 02, 2016

Today's question comes from Jeff, who asks about finding partners to collaborate on projects. How do you know if they have enough passion to be a good collaborator? Jeff's podcast is http://www.generallytrivial.com/. Do you have a question about finding good collaboration partners? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Know If My Business Idea Will Work? Feb 01, 2016

Today's episode is special! My new book, Will It Fly?, launches today! Learn how to validate your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. If you picked up the book, let me know on Twitter @PatFlynn. Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thank you so much for listening! I appreciate you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is My Potential Audience Large Enough? Jan 29, 2016

AP 0529: Is My Potential Audience Large Enough? Today's question comes from Hunter, who has a website topic that he's ready to start, but he's worried the search volume is too low. How can he tell? In this episode, I talk about my niche site, Security Guard Training HQ (http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/). Do you have a question about testing your website idea? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Check out my friend John Lee Dumas's Kickstarter for The Freedom Journal (http://thefreedomjournal.com/).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Determine Which Niche Is Worth My Time? Jan 28, 2016

Today's question comes from Marco, who has a few niche site ideas. How does he determine which niche will be most worth his time and effort? Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about niche site validation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my friend John Lee Dumas's Kickstarter for The Freedom Journal (http://thefreedomjournal.com/).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Deal with Discouragement? Jan 27, 2016

Today's question comes from Jae, who is beginning to feel discouraged and wants to know how I've dealt with these feelings in the past. In this episode, I talk about Hal Elrod's Miracle Morning book and strategy (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/early-morning-routine/). Share your encouragement on Twitter with #AskPat527. Do you have a question about the emotional side of entrepreneurship? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Program Do You Use to Write Blog Posts? Jan 26, 2016

Today's question comes from Rickey, who is planning to start a blog. What program do I use to write my blog posts? Also, do I use a PC or Mac? One text editor I've used is Byword (http://bywordapp.com/). Our team now does the initial writing in Google Docs (https://docs.google.com/). Other tools include Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php) and Evernote (https://evernote.com/). Do you have a question about getting started with blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Compensate Software Developers? Jan 25, 2016

Today's question comes from Clifton, who is interested in hiring a WordPress developer to help develop a software product for his customers. How should he compensate them—should he hire them or partner with them? In this episode, I talk about the structure for Smart Podcast Player (http://smartpodcastplayer.com/). Do you have a question about developing software? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Manage Communications with My Virtual Assistant? Jan 22, 2016

Today's question comes from Marilyn, who asks a question about virtual assistants. How can they keep track of the tasks that she is assigning? Marilyn's site is http://www.infantdentalcenter.com/. You can find virtual assistants using Upwork (a combined company of Elance and oDesk; http://upwork.com/). I highly recommend using Slack for communication (http://smartpassiveincome.com/slack). Do you have a question about working with virtual assistants? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Questions for My Advice Podcast? Jan 21, 2016

Today's question comes from Sam, who is interested in starting an advice podcast similar to AskPat. If he doesn't have a big audience, how does he get people to ask him questions? I love Speakpipe for collecting audio questions (https://www.speakpipe.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Monetize My Course? Jan 20, 2016

Today's question comes from Daniel, who asks about monetizing his blog through a course. How should he go about monetizing that course? Daniel's site is http://www.createmytherapistwebsite.com/ Learn more about productizing your service-based business in Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode #158 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-productize-your-service-based-business/). Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about monetizing your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Use Webinars to Build My Email List? Jan 19, 2016

Today's question comes from Venisha, whose business creates custom first dance songs. Should she hold webinars to get email subscribers? How can she keep people on her email list after their wedding is over? My wife and I had fun with our first dance (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/random-fun-post-of-the-weekend-our-first-dance/). Do you have a question about building your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Determine Podcast Sponsorship Costs? Jan 18, 2016

Today's question comes from Rebecca, who asks about podcast sponsorships. How do I determine which sponsors play at the beginning versus the end of the show? Is there a difference in rate? Rebecca's site is http://clrvirtualconnection.com/. I discuss the ins and outs podcast sponsorship rates with John Lee Dumas on Smart Passive Income #97 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/facebook-webinar-conversion-adding-sponsors-podcast/). Midroll helps me find podcast sponsors (http://www.midroll.com/). Do you have a question about podcast monetization? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Do I Need to Know about Partnerships? Jan 15, 2016

Today's question comes from Ryan, who is helping another entrepreneur get started online. What should he know about partnering with someone else? Ryan's site is http://www.alternativeslibrary.org/. Do you have a question about business partnerships? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will a Facebook Page Limit My Personal Connection with Fans? Jan 14, 2016

Today's question comes from Ron, who asks about Facebook Pages. Will it limit the personal connection he is able to have with his followers? Ron's site is http://ronmckeefery.com/. To join my Facebook Group, go to http://smartpassiveincome.com/community. The social media tool I mention is Edgar (http://meetedgar.com/pat/). Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Repurpose My Content? Jan 13, 2016

Today's question comes from Eric, who asks about repurposing Q&A podcasts for video and blog posts. Is this a good idea? In this episode, both the caller and I discuss Michael Hyatt's content repurposing. Do you have a question about your content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Emails Should I Send, Autoresponder or Broadcast? Jan 12, 2016

Today's question comes from Eliska, who asks about the best kinds of emails to send to her subscribers, broadcast emails with updates about her current posts, or autoresponder emails? In this episode, I share my thoughts, as well as a hybrid solution I've recently tried, called the digest email. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Bilingual. Do I Need A Separate Periscope Account For Each Language? Jan 11, 2016

Today's question comes from Diego, who asks about using Periscope when bilingual. Should he have one account for each language, or continue to host both languages on one account? I share my thoughts. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about Periscope? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Should I Pay for Blog Images? Jan 08, 2016

Today's question comes from Jourdan, who needs help creating blog images. How much should he expect to pay? Jourdan's site is https://medium.com/new-game-magazine. In this episode, I talk about a few different tools: Canva (canva.com), PicMonkey (http://www.picmonkey.com/), and Word Swag (http://wordswag.co/). For finding stock images, I recommend iStockphoto (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/istock), DepositPhotos (http://depositphotos.com/), or Flickr Creative Commons photos. AppSumo periodically has deals for DepositPhotos (http://www.appsumo.com/idrive/). Do you have a question about blog images? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Keep My YouTube Channel Active? Jan 07, 2016

Today's question comes from Brian, who uses his YouTube channel to help promote some affiliate sales. The videos help conversions on his site, but don't drive traffic from YouTube to his site. Should he change his YouTube strategy? Do you have a question about YouTube? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Have To Pay The People I Interview On My Podcast? Jan 06, 2016

Today's question comes from Nick, who is starting an interview podcast. Does he have to pay the guests he invites? How do you get people to agree to be on your show? Nick's site is http://truetightwad.com/. Check out my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Worth Getting My Podcast Transcribed? Jan 05, 2016

Today's question comes from Sebastian, whose podcasting users have asked for podcast transcripts. Is it worth the money to get his show transcribed? Sebastian's site is http://projektphoenix.com/. Sebastian mentions my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). In this episode I talk about Fiverr (http://fiverr.com/) and Upwork, as well as the app Rev. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get More Podcast Ratings And Reviews? Jan 04, 2016

Today's question comes from Andy, who is trying to generate podcast ratings and reviews. In this episode, I mention my podcast with Chris Ducker, 1-Day Business Breakthrough (https://1daybb.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Boost Sales Of My Book For Kids? Jan 01, 2016

Today's question comes from Dennis, whose books sales in person are high, but his online sales aren't as good as he'd like. He has a lot of advertising in place—what else can he do? Dennis's site is http://www.thegreedyfish.co.uk/. In this episode I mention another author, Katie Davis (http://katiedavis.com/), as well as KDP Select promotions (https://kdp.amazon.com/select). Do you have a question about selling your books? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Have A Resources Page Or A Resources PDF? Dec 31, 2015

Today's question comes from Eliska, who asks having PDF of resources versus a resources page on a website. Which is better? Should she have both? Eliska references Smart Passive Income Podcast #78 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session78). The podcast episode I mention with Jessica is #115 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session115/). Do you have a question about your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Course Would You Recommend For Getting A Business Started? Dec 30, 2015

Today's question comes from Glen, who asks about online courses for passive income. Which one would I recommend? I recommend several courses, which you can check out from my resources page (http://smartpassiveincome.com/resources), including Ramit Sethi's, Noah Kagan's, Fizzle.co, Youpreneur with Chris Ducker, The Foundation with Dane Maxwell. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about getting started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are Large Blogs Worth Their Valuation? Dec 29, 2015

Today's question comes from Blanca, who asks about the valuation of websites (she specifically references http://brit.co). Are blogs of that size really worth such a high valuation? The podcast I recommend listening to is StartUp with Alex Blumberg (https://gimletmedia.com/show/startup/). Share your thoughts on this topic on Twitter using #AskPat506. Do you have a question about the business of blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Purchase Domain Privacy? Dec 28, 2015

Today's question comes from Jackie, who asks about domain privacy. Is it worth adding? Jackie's site is http://www.jackiebolen.com/. In this episode I talk about Bluehost (http://askpat.com/bluehost) and GoDaddy (https://www.godaddy.com/). Do you have a question about web domains? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Give A Good Presentation? Dec 25, 2015

Today's question comes from Rick, who has some upcoming public speaking opportunities. What can he do to make his presentations successful? Rick's site is http://rickzullo.com/. In SPI TV 16, I covered 33 public speaking tips that will help (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/33-public-speaking-tips/). Do you have a question about public speaking? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Believe In Work-Life Balance? Dec 24, 2015

Today's question comes from Leonardo, who has a question about work-life balance. Does it exist when you're starting a business? In this episode I mention Hal Elrod's Miracle Morning; for much more on that listen to my conversation with him on Smart Passive Income Episode 140 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/early-morning-routine/). Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about work-life balance? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With Some Extra Time, What Business Would You Start? Dec 23, 2015

Today's question comes from Stacy, who has an existing small business. With 72 free hours, what new business should she start? Learn how to productize your service business on Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 158 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session158). For learning how to speak to small businesses about building custom solutions, listen to Episode 46 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session46). Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about starting a new business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Keep Track of the Information in Your Annual Report? Dec 22, 2015

Today's question comes from Kelly, who asks about my annual report. How do I keep track of the information that goes into that report? Kelly's site is http://wirededucator.com/. You can see my income reports here: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/my-income-reports. The tools I mention are the Chrome extension Speed Dial 2 (http://askpat.com/speeddial2) and 1Password (https://agilebits.com/onepassword). Do you have a question about bookkeeping or income reports? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Challenging Was Your First Year in Business? Dec 21, 2015

Today's question comes from Loris, who asks about my first year in business. Was the first year hard? I reflect on my first year in business and what helped me stick with it. This is a topic that is important to me—I want to help you start the business that is right for you. I recently wrote a new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about starting an online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Kickstarter a Good Way to Validate a Business Idea? Dec 18, 2015

Today's question comes from David, who asks about starting a business with funding through Kickstarter. Is this a good way to validate a business idea or will it give me a skewed sense of the market for my product? Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about validation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Include Affiliate Links in My Membership Site? Dec 17, 2015

Today's question comes from Gianna, who asks about including affiliate links in membership sites. Is it okay? What are the best practices? Gianna's site is http://familyfuntwincities.com/. I share my thoughts on ethical monetization strategies. Share your thoughts on this topic using #AskPat498. Do you have a question about monetization strategies? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Does Your Wife Think of Your Career? Dec 16, 2015

Today's question comes from Friede, who asks about my wife April's perspective of my career. Do you have a question about work-life balance? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Has Changed with the Keyword Research Process? Dec 15, 2015

Today's question comes from an anonymous caller, who asks about a video I made in 2013 about keyword research and SEO analysis. What has changed since I made that video? The 2013 video the caller mentions is available here (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/niche-site-duel-2-keyword-research-seo/). The tools I mention are SEMrush (http://www.semrush.com/) and Long Tail Pro (http://askpat.com/longtailpro). Do you have a question about keyword research? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Recommend Scripting a Podcast? Dec 14, 2015

Today's question comes from Glen, who asks about scripting podcasts. I share my thoughts about podcasting off-the-cuff, with a script, and with an outline. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Happens If the Internet Goes Away? Dec 11, 2015

Today's question comes from Prabhu, who asks what would happen if a major internet service (or the whole internet) goes away. Prabhu's site is http://www.bloggersbooks.com/. Do you have a question about your business planning? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Bother with Low Value Affiliates? Dec 10, 2015

Today's question comes from Brittany, who asks about low value affiliates. Is it worth the time involved for inexpensive, low commission items? Brittany's site is http://www.bhookedcrochet.com/ Do you have a question about affiliate marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Build a Profitable T-Shirt Business? Dec 09, 2015

Today's question comes from Alain, who asks about t-shirts. How do you get t-shirts produced and shipped? Benny Hsu has shared how he runs his t-shirt business (http://getbusylivingblog.com/how-ive-profited-100k-online-in-just-5-months-this-year/) on a platform called Tee Spring (https://teespring.com/). The platform I use for shipping AskPat t-shirts is Printfection (http://www.printfection.com/). Do you have a question about your business idea? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Send My Podcast's RSS Feed to Facebook? Dec 08, 2015

Today's question comes from Sheeran, who asks about sending an RSS feed for the podcast into Facebook. In this episode I talk about Gary Vaynerchuk's book Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook (http://askpat.com/jjjrh). The two tools I mentioned (but don't recommend for this purpose) are IFTTT (http://ifttt.com) and Zapier (https://zapier.com/). Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is My Niche Too Small? Dec 07, 2015

Today's question comes from Jeremy, who is concerned that the niche he has selected may be too small: springboard diving. How can he validate the size of this market? Also, how can he feel comfortable teaching, given that he is young? For more on idea validation, check out my forthcoming book at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about testing your business idea? Record it at http://www.askpat.com Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Manage My Side Business in My LinkedIn Profile? Dec 04, 2015

Today's question comes from Darin, who asks about managing his multiple careers on LinkedIn. Darin's side business is http://kidsdoubledesk.com/. Share your thoughts on this topic with Darin using #AskPat489. Do you have a question about managing your social media profiles? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. It's my birthday week! I would so appreciate if you'd leave me an iTunes review. Coming soon: http://willitflybook.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Share Private Videos with My Email Subscribers? Dec 03, 2015

Today's question comes from Jenna, who is using AWeber. She wants to share videos that only her email subscribers can access. What's the best way to do this? Jenna's site is http://fitpigs.com/. I share two different ways to achieve this. Do you have a question about sharing videos? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Necessities for Starting an Online Business? Dec 02, 2015

Today's question comes from Julian, who is getting his online business started. He wants to keep costs down; what are the necessities to purchase at the beginning? Julian's site is http://www.mystartuplifestyle.com/. I share my advice for getting started, where to spend money, and most importantly, where to spend time. Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Son Wants to Start an Online Business. What Should I Tell Him? Dec 01, 2015

Today's question comes from Glenn, whose son is interested in starting an online business. I share my advice with him on how to get started. Do you have a question about starting a business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Use My Email List? Nov 30, 2015

Today's question comes from Meghan, who has built up an email list for her blog but isn't sure how to use it. What type of content should she send her subscribers? I offer email templates at http://emailthesmartway.com. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Need A Backup For My YouTube Videos? Nov 27, 2015

Today's question comes from Andrew, who asks about his backlog of YouTube videos. Does he need to keep a backup of the files after they are uploaded to YouTube? The video editing file I mention is Screenflow for Mac (http://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm). Do you have a question about your videos? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, MileIQ! MileIQ tracks your mileage automatically for your taxes. Text “Pat” to 31996 to try the app for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Build A Business On A Broad Topic? Nov 26, 2015

Today's question comes from Will, who asks about building a business based on a broad range of products and topics. Does his niche have to be narrow? Share your thoughts about this on Twitter using #AskPat483. Do you have a question about building your niche business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Bounce Back from Failure? Nov 25, 2015

Today's question comes from Rocky, who asks how to bounce back from failure. I have found a lot of helpful advice on haters from Derek Halpern (http://socialtriggers.com/). The WordPress plugin I mentioned (the one that is successful) is the Smart Podcast Player (http://smartpodcastplayer.com). Do you have a question about improving your mental toughness? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make the Most of My #1 Google Rank? Nov 24, 2015

Today's question comes from Scott, who asks how to make the most of his No. 1 Google ranking. What should he do to help build his business? Scott's site is http://cybergrooveam.com/. The keyword tool I use in this episode is SEM Rush (http://www.semrush.com/). The user testing site is http://peak.usertesting.com. Do you have a question about making the most of your site's traffic? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Earth Class Mail. Earth Class Mail brings your snail mail to the cloud. Go to https://www.earthclassmail.com/pat to get your first month free. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Improve My Site's Page Rank? Nov 23, 2015

Today's question comes from Jackie, who asks about improving her site's page rank. She seems to be doing everything right, and yet her site is not ranking. What can she do to improve? I share my thoughts. Jackie's site is http://FreedomThroughPassiveIncome.com. Do you have a question about your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Livestream a Podcast Interview on Periscope? Nov 20, 2015

Today's question comes from Reine, who asks how to livestream a podcast with interview over Periscope. Reine's site is http://www.pmchats.com/. The episode of the Smart Passive Income Podcast that Reine mentions is #177 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/periscope-another-fad-or-the-next-big-thing/). The plugins I recommend for recording calls over Skype are Ecamm Call Recorder for Macs (http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/) or Pamela for PCs (http://www.pamela.biz/). The recording website I recommend is Blab.im (http://blab.im). The Periscope gear I discuss in the episode is all available here (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/periscope-gear/). Do you have a question about Periscope? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, MileIQ! MileIQ tracks your mileage automatically for your taxes. Text “Pat” to 31996 to try the app for free. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Increase My Udemy Course Sales? Nov 19, 2015

Today's question comes from Diego, who asks how to increase sales for the courses he has on Udemy.com. Diego's site is http://www.diegodavila.com/. Good plugins for hosting courses include WP WishList (http://member.wishlistproducts.com/), WP Courseware (https://flyplugins.com/wp-courseware/), and Zippy Courses (http://askpat.com/zippycourses). Another platform I've heard great things about is Teachable (https://teachable.com/). Do you have a question about creating and selling courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Improve the Way I Sound on Microphone? Nov 18, 2015

Today's question comes from Casey, who asks about using the AudioTechnica ATR2100 microphone. The microphone is picking up too much of the breathing sounds. What should he do? Casey's site is http://www.ministerstoolbox.com/home. In this episode I recommend using a pop filter and/or a microphone pre-amp. The pre-amp I use is DBX 286s, connected to my microphone with an XLR cable. Here's the video from Music Radio Creative on how to set up your pre-amp (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR1KoMAqfJA). Do you have a question about podcast quality? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do You Write eBooks Instead of Create Courses? Nov 17, 2015

Today's question comes from Laurence, who asks why I write ebooks instead of creating courses. Why do I choose ebooks? Laurence's site is http://learntocodewith.me/. We're giving away this episode's shirt on Twitter. Use #AskPat476 within the first week of launch to enter. Do you have a question about your information product strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Does Email Marketing Differ for One-Time Purchases? Nov 16, 2015

Today's question comes from David, who asks how to build a business around one-time only transactions, rather than ongoing purchasing relationships. I discuss the marketing around my one-time sales at my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). Share your thoughts on Twitter with #AskPat475. Do you have a question about marketing to your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Platform Is Best for My Ambassador Group? Nov 13, 2015

Today's question comes from Erich, who wants share a behind-the-scenes look into a launch with a special audience. Where should that live? On his blog? On Facebook? Erich's site is http://harmonyinsights.com/. The community Erich mentions is at http://patsfirstbook.com/. I discuss building an ambassador group with Jeff Goins on Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 79 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/book-marketing-time-travel/). Do you have a question about building an ambassador group? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. To win the AskPat shirt, share a tweet using #AskPat474 within one week of this episode's publishing date. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Build an Audience in My Niche? Nov 12, 2015

Today's question comes from Jourdan, who asks about building an audience of gamers. How can he draw this audience to his site? Jourdan's site is http://jourdanb.com/. Do you have a question about building traffic to your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For Website Analytics, Which Items Are Important? Nov 11, 2015

Today's question comes from Keil, who has a question about website analytics. With so many factors that impact traffic, how do you know which variables to focus on? Ke's site is http://www.crostrength.com/. Do you have a question about your website's analytics? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Choose the Right Affiliates? Nov 10, 2015

Today's question comes from Justin, who asks about choosing which affiliates to work with. What are my criteria for making these decisions? An example of the special landing page I mention is http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/bluehost. Do you have a question about affiliate marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Avoid Violating Trademarks When Naming My Show? Nov 09, 2015

Today's question comes from Josh, who is trying to name a podcast without violating a government trademark. In this episode, I talk about the trademark problems I ran into with my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). Do you have a question about naming your podcast, blog, or product? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Do I Start? I Feel Overwhelmed. Nov 06, 2015

Today's question comes from Patrick, who asks about feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of getting into online business. Where does he get started? I recommend the book The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan (http://www.the1thing.com/) and Essentialism by Greg McKeown (http://gregmckeown.com/essentialism-the-disciplined-pursuit-of-less/). I also recommend reading the post by Kevin Kelly called 1,000 True Fans (http://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/). Do you have a question about getting started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Find Insurance When I'm Self-Employed? Nov 05, 2015

Today's question comes from Victor, who asks about insuring himself as a self-employed individual. How does he find insurance? Victor's site is http://moneyuseitwisely.com/. To find your state's health insurance marketplace, go to https://www.healthcare.gov/. Do you have a question about self-employment? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Have a Podcast with Two Formats? Nov 04, 2015

Today's question comes from Ozzy, who asks about his podcasting strategy. Can one show have two formats? For advice on setting up a podcast, try my free podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Content Curation a Good Model? Nov 03, 2015

Today's question comes from Jonah, who asks about curating content. He mentions paper.li, but asks if I recommend any content curation plugins. Jonah's site is http://testingthemuse.com/. The tool I recommend for finding out what people are sharing is BuzzSumo (http://buzzsumo.com/). Do you have a question about your blog's content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. To share your own advice on this topic on Twitter, use #AskPat466. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Structure a Blog for Learning as I Go? Nov 02, 2015

Today's question comes from Paul, who asks how I would structure blog for preparing for a test and learning a new topic. Paul talks about my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/), which I set up to prepare for the LEED exam. I recommend using a self-hosted WordPress blog (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPwQvnar99w). Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Podcasting Equipment Do I Need? Oct 30, 2015

Today's question comes from Patti, who asks about starting a podcast. Does she need the full setup I usually recommend? Can she start by just recording Skype calls? Patti's site is http://pattigood.com/. Check out my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com) for getting started. For recording Skype calls, on Mac use Ecamm Call Recorder (http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/), on PC use Pamela for Skype (http://www.pamela.biz/). An excellent inexpensive microphone is the AudioTechnica ATR 2100 (http://askpat.com/atr2100). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Aren't People Subscribing to My Email List? Oct 29, 2015

Today's question comes from Prabhu, who asks about building his email list. He's getting social engagement but people aren't subscribing to his email list. What should he do differently? In this episode I mention 1-Day Business Breakthrough (https://1daybb.com/). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Use LeadPages to Deliver Weekly Enhanced Content? Oct 28, 2015

Today's question comes from Sean, who asks about LeadPages. How do use LeadPages for delivering enhanced content to current subscribers? Sean's site is http://flightcrit.com/. In this episode, we discuss LeadPages (http://askpat.com/leadpages). Do you have a question about using enhanced content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Make My Site Available in Other Languages? Oct 27, 2015

Today's question comes from Sam, who asks about making versions of his website in multiple languages. Is it worth the time? Sam's site is http://edmprod.com/. Use Google Analytics to help you make this decision (http://www.google.com/analytics/). Do you have a question about making your site multi-lingual? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Balance Between Working and Learning? Oct 26, 2015

Today's question comes from Wendy, who is getting back into self-employment. How should she balance her time between working and learning? In this episode, I mention a show I love, Internet Business Mastery (http://www.internetbusinessmastery.com/). I'm a big fan of using Evernote for saving content (https://evernote.com/). Do you have a question about learning skills for building your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Trackbacks and Pingbacks? Oct 23, 2015

Today's question comes from Wesley, who asks about two blogging terms: trackbacks and pingbacks. What are they? Do you have a question about a blogging term you don't understand? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. To learn more about email marketing, go to http://emailthesmartway.com. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is the Difference Between Blog Categories and Tags? Oct 22, 2015

Today's question comes from Darin, who has been building a blog and has a question about post metadata. What is the difference between categories and tags? Darin's site is http://mystartupchallenge.com/. The WordPress plugin for combatting spam is Growmap Anti Spambot (https://wordpress.org/plugins/growmap-anti-spambot-plugin/). Share your advice with Darin on Twitter using #AskPat458. Do you have a question about blogging metadata? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are Niche Sites Outdated? Oct 21, 2015

Today's question comes from Estevan, who asks about niche sites. Is the traditional niche site outdated? How do you learn enough to become an authority in your niche? The site I mention in this episode is http://howtobakeapotato.com. The tool I used to analyze the site is SEMrush (http://www.semrush.com/). I discuss my niche site project, Niche Site Duel (http://www.nichesiteduel.com/), and the niche sites I built out of this Security Guard Training HQ (http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/) and FoodTruckr (http://foodtruckr.com). Do you have a question about niche sites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Put Multiple Affiliate Links on One Page? Oct 20, 2015

Today's question comes from Nick, who asks about affiliate marketing. Is it okay to put multiple affiliate links on a page, or should he put each on a separate page? In this episode, we use Bluehost as an example (http://askpat.com/bluehost). Do you have a question about affiliate marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Crowdfunding Site Should I Use? Oct 19, 2015

Today's question comes from Kitt, who has questions about crowdfunding. Which site do I recommend? Kit's site is http://theillustratedcoach.com/ The crowdfunding sites I discuss are Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/), IndieGogo (https://www.indiegogo.com/), and GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/). I talk with Dwight Peters from BackersHub about crowdfunding in Smart Passive Income Session 117 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session117). Do you have a question about funding your next project? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Recover from a Google Search Penalty? Oct 16, 2015

Today's question comes from Tom, who asks about Google search algorithm changes. He was hit with a Google penalty, and even after updating his site, it still hasn't recovered. How can he get back into Google's favor? Check out Neil Patel's guide on QuickSprout to recovering from Google penalties (a short link to the article: http://askpat.com/penalty). Do you have a question about the Google search algorithm? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Find a Mentor? Oct 15, 2015

Today's question comes from Jay, who asks about mentorship. How can he find a mentor? Jay's site is http://www.respect1st.com/. My review of Azul Terronez's book is on SPI TV (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/the-art-of-apprenticeship/). The printing company for our t-shirts is Printfection (http://www.printfection.com/). Do you have a question about mentorship? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Check out my new email marketing guide at http://emailthesmartway.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Domain Flipping a Good Income Strategy? Oct 14, 2015

Today's question comes from AJ, who asks about domain flipping (the buying and reselling of domain names). Is it a good income strategy? In this episode I talk about a principle Nicole Dean shared with me in Smart Passive Income Episode 009 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/spi-009-make-money-by-making-the-web-a-more-wonderful-place-with-nicole-dean/). I also discuss flipping websites using Flippa (https://flippa.com/) and my friend Chris Guthrie who has done this successfully (http://upfuel.com/). I tried this once with http://beginnergolftips.com/. Do you have a question about income strategies you've read about online? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Set Up a Pre-Launch Landing Page? Oct 13, 2015

Today's question comes from Ethan, who asks about launching his new website. Should he set up a pre-launch landing page? Ethan's website is http://whydidntyouask.com/ and his Twitter name is @ethanpariseau. In this episode I talk about the launch strategy for my niche site FoodTruckr (http://foodtruckr.com/). Do you have a question about landing pages? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Know When To Outsource? Oct 12, 2015

Today's question comes from Stefan, who asks about outsourcing. How do you know when it is time to outsource a task? Stefan's site is http://howtolucid.com/. A few great companies for finding staff are Upwork (merger of oDesk and Elance; http://upwork.com) and Virtual Staff Finder (http://askpat.com/virtual stafffinder), as well as Fiverr (https://www.fiverr.com/) and 99 Designs (99designs.com/spi). I recommend Chris Ducker's book, Virtual Freedom, for discovering which tasks to outsource (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/vf). The calendar tool I mention is Calendly (http://calendly.com/). Do you have a question about outsourcing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Be sure to check out Email the Smart Way (http://emailthesmartway.com). Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get My Podcast to Rank in iTunes? Oct 09, 2015

Today's question comes from Ray, who has a podcast that isn't showing up in search on iTunes. Ray's podcast is http://topagentsplaybook.com/. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new guide on email marketing at http://emailthesmartway.com. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is Your Blog And Podcast Posting Schedule? Oct 08, 2015

Today's question comes from Ximena, who asks about my posting schedule for my blog posts, podcast, and video. What is my schedule? In this episode, I mention Darren Rowse (http://problogger.net/) and Derek Halpern (http://socialtriggers.com/). The tool I recommend is Coschedule (smartpassiveincome.com/coschedule). Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Name My Blog Images? Oct 07, 2015

Today's question comes from Ted, who asks about images in blog posts. How should he name his images? Ted's website is http://www.beersinsac.com/. The tool I recommend is Sumo Me (smartpassiveincome.com/sumome). Do you have a question about the nitty-gritty of blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Safe Is It to Share Detailed Financial Information with My Audience? Oct 06, 2015

Today's question comes from Jordi, who wants to help his peers get started with their own freelancing businesses. He lives in an area where security is a concern—how safe is it to share details about his personal income? I share reports on my income with my audience (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/my-income-reports). Do you have a question about sharing with your community? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Pick a Topic for My Podcast? Oct 05, 2015

Today's question comes from Jim, who has several different interests. How does he choose which interest will make the best podcast? To learn how to better serve your audience, listen to Smart Passive Income Episode 178 with Ryan Levesque (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/the-ask-formula/). The acronym I use is FOCUS (Follow One Course Until Success), from John Lee Dumas (http://www.eofire.com/). Do you have a question about starting your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Take Advantage of Seasonal Traffic Spikes? Oct 02, 2015

Today's question comes from Richard, who works in Formula One racing. Each race weekend he gets a big spike in traffic. How can he convert that traffic into book sales? Richard's site is http://jobinf1.com/. Richard talks about my very first niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). Take a look at Google Trends (https://www.google.com/trends/). Do you have a question about taking advantage of the traffic that comes in to your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Start a Podcast to Improve My Public Speaking? Oct 01, 2015

Today's question comes from Ian, who is looking to build his confidence with public speaking and in interviews. Would starting a podcast help him improve his public speaking? Ian's site is http://logogeek.co.uk/. I share my experience with using a podcast to build my confidence with public speaking. Do you have a question about improving your confidence in an area of your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Handle Links In EBooks? Sep 30, 2015

Today's question comes from Jonathan, who asks about adding links into ebooks. Jonathan’s site is http://www.best27inchmonitor.com/. In this episode, I talk about Geni.us, which helps you join international Amazon affiliate programs (http://geni.us). Do you have a question about affiliate marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Promote My Content? Sep 29, 2015

Today's question comes from Tony, who asks about content promotion. Tony mentions Derek Halpern, who spends a lot of time promoting his content (http://socialtriggers.com/). The tool I use for recycling social posts is Edgar (http://meetedgar.com/); the tool I use for my editorial schedule is Coschedule (http://smartpassiveincome.com/coschedule) Do you have a question about promoting your content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is A Good Mobile Business? Sep 28, 2015

Today's question comes from Peter, who has to move often. What’s a good online business for someone on the move? In Episode 46 of the Smart Passive Income Podcast, Dane Maxwell talks about how to find a business idea (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/no-ideas-no-expertise-no-money-business/). The post by Kevin Kelly I mention is called 1,000 True Fans (http://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/). Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Are Meetups Important? Sep 25, 2015

Today's question comes from Thomas, who asks if I still have meetups in person. Use the hashtag #AskPat439 to let me know if you’re interested in my idea. Do you have a question about networking with others? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Disqus A Good Comment Platform? Sep 24, 2015

Today's question comes from Todd and his kids Joshua and Jenna, who ask about blog comment platforms. Do you recommend Disqus? Smart Passive Income uses Disqus (https://disqus.com/). My friend Cliff uses Livefyre (http://web.livefyre.com/). The spam plugin I mentioned (but didn’t work well for me) is Akismet (http://akismet.com/). The spam plugin that did work for me is Growmap Anti-Spambot Plugin (https://wordpress.org/plugins/growmap-anti-spambot-plugin/). Do you have a question about blogging plugins? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Has Your View Of Design Changed? Sep 23, 2015

Today's question comes from Tony, who asks about how my online business has impacted how I feel about design. Tony’s site is http://designerhacks.com/. Tony mentions Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 90 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/architecture-online-business/). In this episode, I also talk about what I’ve learned from Derek Halpern (http://socialtriggers.com/) and from my designer Dustin (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/meet-team-flynn/). Do you have a question about how design impacts your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Provide Offers For My New Podcast? Sep 22, 2015

Today's question comes from Will, who hopes to convince his podcast guests to provide offers for his audience. The problem is that he doesn’t have an audience yet. How should he get started? I share how I would go about finding offers for my podcast audience. Do you have a question about podcasts? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Okay To Use Single Opt-In For Email Marketing? Sep 21, 2015

Today's question comes from Michael, who asks about single opt-in for email marketing. In this episode, I mention my interview with Ryan Levesque on Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 179 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/underused-methods-for-building-your-email-list/). Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Deal With A Tremendous Amount Of Spam? Sep 18, 2015

Today's question comes from Tony, who is overwhelmed by spam email. What can he do to combat the huge amount of spam emails? Tony’s site is http://bloggingdiabetes.com/. For blog comments, I recommend getting a captcha plugin for your WordPress website or switching your commenting system to Disqus (https://disqus.com/). I use a paid service called Sanebox (http://sanebox.com/pat), combined with Google Apps for Business (https://www.google.com/work/apps/business/). I talk about how to tackle a huge backlog of email on Smart Passive Income Episode 115 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/email-management/). Do you have a question about email management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Use Pinterest To Promote My Food Blog? Sep 17, 2015

Today's question comes from Nicholas, who is trying to understand how to promote his business using Pinterest. Nicholas’s website is http://informationalcuisine.com/. I recommend looking to Social Media Examiner for advice on Pinterest (http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/). Check out the Everything Food Conference (http://www.foodbloggingconference.com/) and listen to Smart Passive Income Session 148 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/the-story-behind-the-success-of-food-blog-pinch-of-yum-with-lindsay-and-bjork/). I also mention the Get Rich Slowly blog (http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/). Do you have a question about promoting your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Turn Podcast Listeners Into Email Subscribers? Sep 16, 2015

Today's question comes from Joe, who is having trouble converting podcast listeners into email list subscribers. How can he improve this conversion rate? Joe’s podcast is The Q2 Podcast (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-q2-podcast/id897345646?mt=2). Joe’s podcast host is Podbean (http://www.podbean.com/). The WordPress plugin I mention is Pretty Links (https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/). The conversion tool I recommend is LeadPages (http://askpat.com/leadpages). Check out my book, eBooks the Smart Way (http://ebooksthesmartway.com). For more on email list building, listen to Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 78 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/rapid-list-building/). Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Hire A Software Developer? Sep 15, 2015

Today's question comes from Wayne, who is looking to hire a software developer. How does he find someone who can make his idea a reality? I recommend Upwork, which is the new company created by the merger of Elance and oDesk (https://www.upwork.com/). For team communication, I highly recommend Slack (http://askpat.com/slack-communication). Do you have a question about hiring staff to help create your projects? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are eBooks Too Old Fashioned? Sep 14, 2015

Today's question comes from Tara, who asks if ebooks are too old school. Is something fancier, like video, a better choice? Good platforms for hosting courses include WP WishList (http://member.wishlistproducts.com/), WP Courseware (https://flyplugins.com/wp-courseware/), and Zippy Courses (http://askpat.com/zippycourses). The entrepreneurs I mentioned in this episode are Nathan Barry (http://nathanbarry.com/) and David Siteman Garland (http://www.therisetothetop.com/). For recording your screen, I recommend Screenflow (http://askpat.com/screenflow) or Camtasia (https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html). Do you have a question about lead magnets? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Manage My Growing Email Inbox? Sep 11, 2015

Today's question comes from Karin, whose business is growing rapidly. Her email inbox is getting out of hand—what strategies can she use to keep the personal touch without getting overwhelmed? For more on how Jessica and I handle email, listen to Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 115 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/email-management/). Do you have a question about email management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Build An Online Business Without A Niche Site? Sep 10, 2015

Today's question comes from Rachel, who wants to build a business without creating a specific niche site. How can she do that? In this episode, I talk about Glen Allsopp from Viperchill (http://www.viperchill.com/). The tool I talk about is LeadPages (http://askpat.com/leadpages). The affiliate marketplaces mentioned are ClickBank (http://www.clickbank.com/) and CJ (formerly Commission Junction; http://www.cj.com/). To contribute your thoughts on this topic, use the hashtag #AskPat428. Do you have a question about starting your online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Find A Mentor? Sep 09, 2015

Today's question comes from Corey, who is looking for a mentor. How can he find one? In this episode, I talk about Brian Harris’s “Poster Boy” strategy (http://blog.videofruit.com/poster-boy/). Do you have a question about mentors? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Generate Leads For My Brick-And-Mortar Business? Sep 08, 2015

Today's question comes from Nick, who needs some suggestions for better lead generation for his home building company. To learn about content marketing, check out Marcus Sheridan (http://www.thesaleslion.com/). Do you have a question about lead generation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make My Blogger Website Mobile-Friendly? Sep 07, 2015

Today's question comes from Amanda, who wants to get back to blogging again. How can she make her Blogger site more mobile-friendly? Amanda’s site is http://www.mommymiamonologues.com/. In this episode, I mention this article from Big Little Geek on responsive Blogger templates (http://www.biglittlegeek.com/best-responsive-seo-optimized-blogger-templates-2015/). If you’re using the Amazon Associate program, check out Genius (https://www.geni.us/). Do you have a question about making your site more mobile-friendly (or responsive)? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Keep My Subscribers From Getting Duplicate Emails? Sep 04, 2015

Today's question comes from Rachel, who has a question about email lists and lead magnets. How can she keep subscribers from receiving duplicate emails? Rachel’s site is http://www.candokiddo.com/. Rachel mentions the Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 78 with Clay Collins (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/rapid-list-building/), which talks about how to use LeadPages (http://www.askpat.com/leadpages). The email service providers I discuss are Mailchimp (http://mailchimp.com/) and AWeber (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/aweber), and ConvertKit (http://askpat.com/convertkit). Do you have a question about how to manage your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Use Cold Emails To Find New Business? Sep 03, 2015

Today's question comes from AJ, who asks about sending cold emails. Are they a good tool for generating new business? Do you have a question about using email to build your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Deal With A Much Larger Competitor? Sep 02, 2015

Today's question comes from Brian, who has a question about the sharing the work of a much more established individual in his market. Is it a good idea to share a competitor’s site when they have a much larger presence? Brian’s site is http://www.askadaddy.com/. Do you have a question about the competition? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Set Up A Video Studio In A Small Space? Sep 01, 2015

Today's question comes from Jon, who is setting up a video studio in the corner of his home office. What some space-saving advice do I have to recommend? In this episode I mention a bunch of photography tools, including using a wide angle lens, using bokeh effect (works better on a standard lens), using LED lights to save on space and heat, folding light reflectors, and ring lights. The lenses I mentioned are the Canon 1.4F 50 mm or 35mm lens. For purchasing camera equipment, Amazon is a good resource, as is B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/). As always, check out Caleb Wojcik’s resource at DIY Video Guide (http://diyvideoguide.com/). Do you have a question about shooting videos for your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Do You Think Of Using Periscope To Market A Business? Aug 31, 2015

Today's question comes from Ann, who asks about the Periscope platform. What is its potential for marketing a business? Chris Ducker inspired me to get started using Periscope (http://www.chrisducker.com). Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. Thanks to our sponsor, Sidekick. Receive live notifications when someone opens your email. Go to getsidekick.com/pat to check it out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Many Hours Do I Work When I'm Starting My Business? Aug 28, 2015

Today's question comes from Mary, who asks how much a new business owner needs to work in the beginning. Is it important to work long hours when you’re first getting a business started? The two authors I contrast are Gary Vaynerchuck (https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/) and Tim Ferriss (http://fourhourworkweek.com/). Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Long Will My Online Business Last? Aug 27, 2015

Today's question comes from Megan, who asks about leaving a traditional product-based business to start an online business. How does she make sure this new business will last? In this episode I mention the post by Kevin Kelly called 1,000 True Fans (http://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/). Do you have a question about starting your online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Thanks to our sponsor, Sidekick. Receive live notifications when someone opens your email. Go to getsidekick.com/pat to check it out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Questions Should I Ask My Audience? Aug 26, 2015

Today's question comes from Chris, who is planning to interview some audience members. What questions should he ask his audience members? Chris’s site is http://sidehustleacademy.com/. I recommend Ryan Levesque's excellent book on how to conduct audience surveys (http://www.amazon.com/Ask-Counterintuitive-Discover-Customers-Business/dp/1939447720/&tag=smartpassiveincome-20). Do you have a question about learning from your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Important Is Having A Business Plan? Aug 25, 2015

Today's question comes from Elizabeth, who asks about business plans. How important is having a business plan? Elizabeth’s site is http://www.theseniorgap.com/. In this episode I mention the SBA, which is the Small Business Administration (https://www.sba.gov/). I recommend the book The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan (http://www.the1thing.com/). Do you have a question about getting started with your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Convert Instagram Followers To Customers? Aug 24, 2015

Today's question comes from Josh, who wants to know how to convert his Instagram followers to newsletter followers and customers. Josh’s site is http://mad-realestate.com/. I cover strategies for converting Instagram followers on my interviews on Smart Passive Income Podcast Podcast 165 with Susan Petersen (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/susan-petersen-from-freshly-picked-on-selling-moccasins-and-her-booming-online-retail-business/) and 169 with Nathan Chan (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-nathan-chan-built-a-6-figure-digital-magazine-and-the-marketing-strategies-we-can-all-use/). To set up domain redirects, check out the WordPress plugin Pretty Link (https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/). Do you have a question about Instagram? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Braintree. Braintree will help you accept business payments for your products from customers across the world. Go to http://braintreepayments.com/pat. Thanks to our sponsor, Sidekick. Receive live notifications when someone opens your email. Go to getsidekick.com/pat to check it out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Need A Separate Email List To Promote Different Affiliate Products? Aug 21, 2015

Today's question comes from Greg, who asks about affiliate products and email lists. Can he promote multiple products to a single list, or should he set up several email lists? For affiliate marketing advice check out this page: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/affiliate-marketing-strategies/. Do you have a question about affiliate marketing. Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Stay Motivated When Life Gets Tough? Aug 20, 2015

Today's question comes from Michael, who asks how I stay motivated when work and life gets tough. It’s a great question, because life is a roller coaster. Here’s what I do. Do you have a question about staying motivated? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Tools Do I Need To Create A Course? Aug 19, 2015

Today's question comes from Saj, whose audience is asking him to create some coaching courses. What tools does he need to create a course? These are the tools I recommend. For hosting the course, if you don’t want to create your own website, you can use Udemy (http://www.udemy.com/) or Teachery (https://www.teachery.co/). For a merchant account, you can use Stripe (https://stripe.com/), PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/), 1Shopping Cart (http://www.1shoppingcart.com/) or Authorize.net (http://www.authorize.net/). Kajabi is another option for hosting courses, but I have not tried it out (https://www.kajabiapp.com/). To host a course on your own website, look into these WordPress platforms: WP WishList (http://member.wishlistproducts.com/), WP Courseware (https://flyplugins.com/wp-courseware/), and Zippy Courses (http://askpat.com/zippycourses). For screen recording, I recommend Screenflow for Mac (http://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm) or Camtasia for PCs (https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html). A great, inexpensive microphone is the AudioTechnica ATR 2100 (http://askpat.com/atr2100). Zoom is another webinar hosting platform (http://zoom.us/pat). Do you have a question about building membership courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Build Traffic To My Services Website? Aug 18, 2015

Today's question comes from Elyse, who writes online content for a living. How can she increase traffic to her site to help her find more customers? Elyse’s site is http://www.contentbyelyse.com/. Take a listen to Smart Passive Income Podcast 158 with Brian Casel, where we discuss how to productize a service-based business (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-productize-your-service-based-business/). Also check out Derek Halpern’s site, Social Triggers (http://socialtriggers.com/). Here’s the video of Derek walking me through how to improve my conversion strategies (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/conversion-strategies/). Do you have a question about building traffic for your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Share your thoughts on today’s episode using #AskPat411. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Thanks to our sponsor, Sidekick. Receive live notifications when someone opens your email. Go to getsidekick.com/pat to check it out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Did I Learn When My Website Got Hacked? Aug 17, 2015

Today's question comes from Gaynete, who asks about the time my website got hacked. What did I learn from getting the site hacked? What would I do differently to prevent future attacks? I share the 11 things I learned from the DDOS attack that will help you prevent your site from getting hacked—or help you recover if a site hack happens to you. The plugins I discuss for limiting logins are Limit Login Attempts (https://wordpress.org/plugins/limit-login-attempts/) and Wordfence (https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordfence/). The password managers I mention are 1Password (https://agilebits.com/onepassword) and LastPass (https://lastpass.com/). The hosting companies I recommend are Linode (https://www.linode.com/) and Bluehost (http://askpat.com/bluehost). Two other service I recommend are Sucuri (https://sucuri.net/) and Cloudflare (https://www.cloudflare.com/). Do you have a question about your website’s security? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Thanks to our sponsor, Sidekick. Receive live notifications when someone opens your email. Go to getsidekick.com/pat to check it out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Should I Put My Affiliate Disclosure Statement? Aug 14, 2015

AP 0409: Where Should I Put My Affiliate Disclosure Statement? Today's question comes from Jason, who asks about affiliate disclosure. Where should he put the affiliate disclosure statement? I recommend creating a resources page that includes a disclosure statement (http://smartpassiveincome.com/resources). On that page you can see my disclosure statement in blue. Do you have a question about affiliate sales? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Start A Business Using Only Social Media? Aug 13, 2015

Today's question comes from Khizer, who is a musician with very active social media accounts but no active website. He’s ready to start releasing his own music—how can he use his social media to make money? In this episode I talk about Kevin Kelly’s 1000 True Fans post (http://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/). Do you have a question about starting your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Started With Keyword Research? Aug 12, 2015

Today's question comes from Stephen, who has a question about keywords and Google Analytics. How can he get started with keyword research in Google Analytics? In this episode I talk about how to use Google’s free Keyword Planner tool (https://adwords.google.com/ko/KeywordPlanner/), as well as how to use Amazon and iTunes for research. Do you have a question about keyword research? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have Courses. How Do I Build My Audience? Aug 11, 2015

Today's question comes from Tanner, who has courses on Udemy. He’s ready to market courses from his own platform, but he doesn’t have an audience yet. How should he get started? Tanner’s courses on are the course platform site Udemy (http://www.udemy.com/). For Facebook marketing and list building advice, check out Amy Porterfield’s site (http://www.amyporterfield.com/). Good platforms for hosting courses include WP WishList (http://member.wishlistproducts.com/), WP Courseware (https://flyplugins.com/wp-courseware/), and Zippy Courses (http://askpat.com/zippycourses). Do you have a question about creating courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Create My Own Health Food Product? Aug 10, 2015

Today's question comes from Selin, who has a question about choosing between two business ideas, an ecommerce site and custom product versus blogging. Kickstarter is a good tool for raising production funds (https://www.kickstarter.com/). Do you have a question about when to start your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Thanks to our sponsor, Sidekick. Receive live notifications when someone opens your email. Go to getsidekick.com/pat to check it out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do You Give Out T-Shirts To Callers? Aug 07, 2015

Today's question comes from Aron, who wants to know why I give out t-shirts to AskPat callers. What’s the reason for the giveaway? The conference I mention is Podcast Movement (http://podcastmovement.com/). Do you have a question about why I’m doing something with the show? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Become A Millionaire? Aug 06, 2015

Today's question comes from Ross, who wants to make enough money to have the freedom to live the life he wants. How does he get started? Get started with episodes of the Smart Passive Income Podcast, which features regular people who’ve built businesses that help them to live the lives they want (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/category/podcast/). Do you have a question about building a business to support your lifestyle? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Habits Do You Wish You Had Started Sooner? Aug 05, 2015

Today's question comes from Alex, who ask which habits I wish you had started 5–10 years ago. Alex’s site is http://www.66dayexperiment.com/. The first thing I wish I had started sooner is my morning routine, which I cover in this episode of the Smart Passive Income Podcast with Hal Elrod (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/early-morning-routine/) and on Episode 150 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/my-new-morning-routine-schedule-habits/). Also, I love the Five Minute Journal (http://fiveminutejournal.com). Do you have a question about the habits of a good entrepreneur? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, MileIQ! MileIQ tracks your mileage automatically for your taxes. Text “Pat” to 89800 to try the app for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Happens When I Add New Autoresponder Emails? Aug 04, 2015

Today's question comes from David, who has a question about autoresponder sequences. David’s site is http://bartenderhq.com/. There are two episodes of the Smart Passive Income Podcast that cover autoresponder emails, Session 143 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/actionable-email-marketing-strategies/) and Session 159 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/autoresponder-email-best-practices/). Do you have a question about your email autoresponders? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Thanks to our other sponsor, Sidekick. Receive live notifications when someone opens your email. Go to getsidekick.com/pat to check it out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AskPat Live On Periscope Aug 03, 2015

Today is special episode of AskPat! I’m taking a lightning round of questions live from the audience on Periscope. The book I recommend in today’s episode is The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan (http://amzn.to/1MHXaJP). Do you have a question about using Periscope for your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. Thanks to our other sponsor, Sidekick. Receive live notifications when someone opens your email. Go to http://getsidekick.com/pat to check it out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get My Facebook Group Members To Join My Email List? Jul 31, 2015

Today's question comes from Bill, who hosts a successful Facebook group. How can he get his members to join his email list? Bill’s site is http://themakersguide.com. I offer my advice for how to get your community members on to an email list. Do you have a question about interacting with your Facebook community? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Long Does It Take To Build A Platform? Jul 30, 2015

Today's question comes from Gabriel, who is new to blogging and wants to know how long (on average) it takes to build up a platform. Is it a year? Two years? Here’s what I think Gabriel (and you) should keep in mind. Gabriel’s site is http://www.gabrielaviles.com/. In this episode I talk about John Lee Dumas (http://entrepreneuronfire.com). Share your experiences using #AskPat398. Do you have a question about building your platform? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Grow My Business From Freelancing Into An Agency? Jul 29, 2015

Today's question comes from Tom, who is interested in growing his freelancing business to a small agency. How does he go about this? Tom’s site is http://www.convertdigital.co.uk/. In this episode, I mention my Smart Passive Income interview with Brian Casel, which covers “productizing” your business (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-productize-your-service-based-business/). Also check out his resource on productizing (http://askpat.com/productize). I also recommend the AskPat sponsor Zip Recruiter (http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat). Do you have a question about your small business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Start Blogging in a Crowded Industry? Jul 28, 2015

Today's question comes from Junaid, who is questioning his desire to be a tech blogger. It’s a crowded industry—is it worth entering, or should he write in a different industry? I share my thoughts on how to get started. Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did I Choose A Niche That Is Too Small? Jul 27, 2015

Today's question comes from Paula, who worries that she may have selected a niche that is too small. What should she do? In this episode, I recommend using the Google Keywords Tool (https://adwords.google.com) and LongTail Pro (http://askpat.com/longtailpro), as well as Amazon (http://amazon.com/). The Gary Vaynerchuck book I reference is Crush It (https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/new-york-times-bestselling-aut-649919693.html). Do you have a question about your niche website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Still Use Muse For Meditation? Jul 24, 2015

Today's question comes from Mike, who asks about my experience with the Muse device for meditation. You can find the Muse device here (http://smartpassiveincome.com/muse). I use meditation as a part of my morning routine, which I discuss with Hal Elrod on Smart Passive Income Podcast #140 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/early-morning-routine/). Do you have a question about meditation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Zoom. Check out their fantastic video and web conferencing service at http://zoom.us/pat. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Record My Podcast Guests? Jul 23, 2015

Today's question comes from Tehout, who records interviews for her podcast. How can she ensure that her guests have a good sound quality? I recommend the Ecamm Call Recorder for Mac users (http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/) and Pamela recorder for PCs (http://www.pamela.biz/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Should I Ignore My Audience's Opinion? Jul 22, 2015

Today's question comes from Matt, who is wrestling with the opinions he received after polling his audience. A small portion of his audience disagrees with a design change he is considering. Should he listen to them or continue with his rebranding plans? Matt’s site is http://skylanderscharacterlist.com/. This site is about the game Skylanders (http://www.skylanders.com/). Pat’s a fan of Disney Infinity (https://infinity.disney.com/). Do you have a question about managing feedback from your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Encourage My Readers To Leave Reviews? Jul 21, 2015

Today's question comes from Matt, whose wife has just released a cookbook. What is the best way to encourage her community to leave reviews on the Amazon and Barnes and Noble sites? Lynn’s site is http://freshaprilflours.com/. I discuss reviews with Jeff Goins on Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 79 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/book-marketing-time-travel/). Do you have a question about selling your book? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get My Family To Support My Business Goals? Jul 20, 2015

Today's question comes from Elizabeth, who needs help convincing her husband that building a business structured around passive income is a smart idea. Elizabeth’s site is http://www.savvysandwicher.com/. Thank you so much for completing the survey I ran on Smart Passive Income. Your responses help me cover topics that are helpful to you as you build your business. To talk about his episode, use #AskPat390. Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Did You Start Smart Passive Income? Jul 17, 2015

Today's question comes from Liz, who asks about how my feelings about Smart Passive Income have changed. How do I feel about what I have to offer my listeners? Liz’s site is http://cuddlesandrage.com/. I would appreciate if you could fill out my survey at http://spisurvey.com. Your responses will help me serve you better. Do you have a question about Smart Passive Income? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Restart My Blog After An Absence? Jul 16, 2015

Today's question comes from Jason, who is interested it reviving his blog. How does he come back from a long absence? The book I mention is Ask by Ryan Levesque (http://www.amazon.com/Ask-Counterintuitive-Discover-Customers-Business/dp/1939447720/&tag=smartpassiveincome-20). Here’s the survey I’m running based on what I learned from this book, and I would appreciate if you could fill it out: http://spisurvey.com. Your responses will help me serve you better. Do you have a question about getting your blog restarted? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do Your Affiliate Sales Change Your Business Priorities? Jul 15, 2015

Today's question comes from Michael, who has a question about my Bluehost affiliate sales. How does this income source change the way I approach my business? What would I do differently if I didn’t have this income source? (http://askpat.com/bluehost) I would appreciate if you could fill out my survey at http://spisurvey.com. Your responses will help me serve you better. Do you have a question about affiliate sales? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make Sure New Visitors Find My Old Content? Jul 14, 2015

Today's question comes from Jimm, who has a site with a large backlog of content. How can he make sure he’s making the most of his backlog so that new people find it? Jimm’s site is http://vententersearch.com. In this episode, I talk about my Getting Started page at Smart Passive Income (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/passive-income-101/), as well as AskPat Episode #383 (https://soundcloud.com/askpat/how-do-i-organize-my-content-plan) and the social media tool Edgar (http://meetedgar.com/). I would appreciate if you could fill out my survey at http://spisurvey.com. Your responses will help me serve you better. Do you have a question about your content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Find A Development Coach Or A Mastermind Group? Jul 13, 2015

Today's question comes from Mary, who is looking to build a professional support network. How can she find a personal development coach and a mastermind group? I’ve covered mastermind groups on SPI TV Episodes 9–12 (http://watchspi.tv). Share your experience with mastermind groups and/or working with a development coach using #AskPat385. I would appreciate if you could fill out my survey at http://spisurvey.com. Your responses will help me serve you better. Do you have a question about your personal development? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is A Good Platform For Selling Online Courses? Jul 10, 2015

Today's question comes from Steve, who is looking to sell an online course. What are good platforms for selling online courses? In this episode, I discuss several different platforms and tools, including Udemy (https://www.udemy.com/), Lynda (http://lynda.com), Wistia (http://wistia.com/hub), Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/), Podbean (http://www.podbean.com/), WP Wishlist (http://member.wishlistproducts.com/) and Zippy Courses (http://askpat.com/zippy). Check out Smart Passive Income Episode #136 for more on building online courses (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-build-an-online-course-that-sells/). The 1-Day Business Breakthrough site uses Zippy Courses here (https://1daybblive.com/buy/2015/). To share your experience with course creation, use #AskPat384. I would appreciate if you could fill out my survey at http://spisurvey.com. Your responses will help me serve you better. Do you have a question about creating online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Organize My Content Plan? Jul 09, 2015

Today's question comes from Dana, who is still getting started and needs help getting organized. What information should she keep track of when she’s organizing her content plan? In this episode I mentioned Speakpipe, which we use for taking questions on the show (https://www.speakpipe.com/), as well as Google Drive spreadsheets (https://drive.google.com/). I would appreciate if you could fill out my survey at http://spisurvey.com. Your responses will help me serve you better. Do you have a question about your content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Comes First, The Podcast Or The Blog? Jul 08, 2015

Today's question comes from Greg, who asks which should come first, the podcast or the blog. I have a lot of thoughts on how to get started. To learn about getting your podcast started, go to my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com). I would appreciate if you could fill out my survey at http://spisurvey.com. Your responses will help me serve you better. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Worth Buying Backlinks? Jul 07, 2015

Today's question comes from Dean, who asks about buying backlinks. Dean’s site is http://moderngreenlife.com/. Kimanzi Constable shares great information on how to become a contributing writer to large media sites on Smart Passive Income Podcast #145 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-become-a-contributing-writer-on-large-media-sites-kimanzi-constable/). Brian Dean’s article on backlinking contains lots of great information for the current search environment (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/backlinking-strategy-2014-beyond/). I would appreciate if you could fill out my survey at http://spisurvey.com. Your responses will help me serve you better. Do you have a question about search engine rankings? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Prioritize My Time Between Two Projects? Jul 06, 2015

Today's question comes from Chirag, who has two websites. How should he balance the effort spent on the two different sites? Chirag’s site is http://chiragmehta.co.uk/. I would appreciate if you could fill out my survey at http://spisurvey.com. Your responses will help me serve you better. Do you have a question about time management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Structure A Good Podcast Interview? Jul 03, 2015

Today's question comes from Carlos, who is preparing to start a podcast. He asks how I structure my interviews and how I plan the questions. Carlos’s site is http://quietsalesguy.com/. Carlos mentions the event I held with Chris Ducker, 1-Day Business Breakthrough (https://1daybb.com/download). Do you have a question about interviewing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Should I Use A Pen Name? Jul 02, 2015

Today's question comes from Jason, who asks about protecting his online identity. What should he do to protect his identity? When should he use a pen name? Jason’s site is http://debtdeparture.com/. In this episode, I talk about my niche website Security Guard Training (http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/) and why I used a pen name. Share your experience using a pen name with #AskPat378. Do you have a question about protecting your online identity? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Build Your Niche Sites? Jul 01, 2015

Today's question comes from Kedar, who asks about how I built my niche sites. What did I know before I got started? How did I learn about the niches? In this episode, I talk about my niche websites Security Guard Training (http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/) and FoodTruckr (http://www.foodtruckr.com/). Do you have a question about creating niche sites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create A Good Podcast Intro? Jun 30, 2015

Today's question comes from Filmon, who is looking to change his podcast’s intro music. Here are the tools and services I recommend. Music Radio Creative created the AskPat intro (http://askpat.com/mrc). For software, the Mac’s built-in Garage Band program works well, otherwise check out Audacity (http://sourceforge.net/projects/audacity/), Adobe Audition (https://creative.adobe.com/products/audition), and Reaper (http://www.reaper.fm/index.php). For getting intros made, try Fiverr (http://fiverr.com), Elance (https://www.elance.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Handle New Lead Magnets For My Existing Email Subscribers? Jun 29, 2015

Today's question comes from Melody, who asks about email newsletters and lead magnets. Should she require her existing users to opt-in again to get new lead magnets? Melody’s site is http://melodywilding.com/. The tool I mention is LeadPages (http://askpat.com/leadpages). Also, find Josh Shipp here (http://joshshipp.com/). Do you have a question about email newsletters? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Happens When New And Noteworthy Ends? Jun 26, 2015

Today's question comes from Adrian, who has a podcast in iTunes’s New and Noteworthy section. What happens when it ends? Adrian’s podcast is Your Daily 10 Minute Meditation Podcast (http://apple.co/1e5RB9p). Check out the Smart Podcast Player (http://smartpodcastplayer.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Stay True To Your Morals When Making Business Decisions? Jun 25, 2015

Today's question comes from Matt, who asks about making business decisions. How do I stay true to my morals when someone is offering me a lot of money? Do you have a question about making good business decisions? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Do I Find My Podcast Stats? Jun 24, 2015

Today's question comes from Kirklan, who is having trouble finding his podcast stats. How does he figure out how many downloads his show has? Kirklan’s podcast is http://empowertk.org/. In this episode, I talk about Feedburner (http://feedburner.google.com). I share advice from Cliff Ravenscraft (http://podcastanswerman.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Politely Decline Requests For Free Content? Jun 23, 2015

Today's question comes from Maelisa, who asks about politely declining request for free content. In this episode I discuss my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/) and my product Smart Podcast Player (http://www.smartpodcastplayer.com/). Do you have a question about fielding requests from your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Need A Separate Website For My Podcast? Jun 22, 2015

Today's question comes from Roy, who is starting a new podcast. Should the podcast live on its own website? Roy’s site is http://www.idealdreammarriage.com/. In this episode, I talk about my project with Chris Ducker, 1-Day Business Breakthrough (https://1daybb.com/), as well as my main website, Smart Passive Income (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Turn Followers Into Relationships? Jun 19, 2015

Today's question comes from Michael, who asks how to turn followers into relationships. What a great question! In this episode I talk about email service providers AWeber (http://askpat.com/aweber), Infusionsoft (http://askpat.com/infusionsoft), Ontraport (https://ontraport.com/), Constant Contact (http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp), iContact (http://www.icontact.com/), and MailChimp (http://mailchimp.com/). Do you have a question about audience engagement? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Pay For Facebook Ads To Build My Email List? Jun 18, 2015

Today's question comes from Joe, who is working to build his email list. Should he spend money on Facebook Ads? Joe’s site is http://panvisio.org/. Amy Porterfield has great advice on this topic (http://www.amyporterfield.com/), as does Rick Mulready (http://rickmulready.com/). In this episode, I also mention Gary Vaynerchuck (https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/new-york-times-bestselling-aut-649919693.html). Do you have a question about email list building? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Record A Webinar? Jun 17, 2015

Today's question comes from Daniel, who wants to record webinars for his organization. What equipment does he need? Webinar providers include GoToWebinar (http://askpat.com/gotowebinar), Google Hangouts (https://plus.google.com/hangouts/), and Webinar Jam (http://ww2.webinarjam.com/welcome/). Scheduling/signup tools include LeadPages plus your email service provider (http://askpat.com/leadpages) (http://askpat.com/aweber). The webcam I use is the Logitech Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 (http://amzn.to/1JYnpcj). A great inexpensive microphone is the AudioTechnica ATR2100 (http://amzn.to/1JYnGw3). I recommend recording the webinar using Screenflow (http://askpat.com/screenflow) or Camtasia (http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp). The Smart Passive Income Podcast with Lewes Howes is episode 29 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session29). Do you have a question about webinars? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Focus On Creating Digital Products Outside My Niche? Jun 16, 2015

Today's question comes from Bree, who asks about whether she should spend time creating digital products outside her niche. Do you have a question about digital products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Is My Podcast Promotion Strategy Failing? Jun 15, 2015

Today's question comes from Joel, who is having trouble with the promotion of his podcast. Why is his strategy failing? Joel’s podcast is Look Like a Local (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/look-like-local-travelers/id993214217?mt=2). In this episode, I talk about this FoodTruckr post: http://foodtruckr.com/2013/10/what-i-wish-id-known-before-starting-my-food-truck/. Do you have a question about podcast promotion? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Buy All The Variations Of My Domain Name? Jun 12, 2015

Today's question comes from Ron, who asks about domain names. Should he buy up all the variations (.net, .com, .org, etc.)? In this episode, I mention Zen Habits (http://zenhabits.net) and LeadPages (http://leadpages.net). Do you have a question about managing domain names? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Need An MBA For Online Business? Jun 11, 2015

Today's question comes from Chastity, who asks about whether or not she should pursue an MBA. In this episode, I discuss starting Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). Do you have a question about running your online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Role Does Appearance Make In Building A Personal Brand? Jun 10, 2015

Today's question comes from Aaron, who has a question about standing out from the crowd. Does a professional appearance still have a place? Aaron’s site is http://freecustommusic.com/. To sign up for my email list, go to eBooks the Smart Way (http://ebooksthesmartway.com). In this episode, I mention a post I wrote for Fizzle about software development (http://fizzle.co/sparkline/five-lessons-learned-from-building-two-failed-wordpress-plugins-and-how-they-led-me-to-my-first-successful-software-venture). Check out Budgets Are Sexy to see J. Money’s distinctive look (http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/). Do you have a question about building a personal brand? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Promote My New Podcast? Jun 09, 2015

Today's question comes from Saj, who is starting a new podcast. How do I promote my new podcast? You can find my podcast tutorial at PodcastingTutorial.com (http://podcastingtutorial.com/). In this episode I share my experience with podcast promotion. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Make My Website Bilingual? Jun 08, 2015

Today's question comes from Jordi, who is working to refine his target audience. Should his site be bilingual, with information in both English and Spanish? In this episode, I mention Google Analytics (https://www.google.com/analytics/). Share your experiences with bilingual websites using #AskPat360. Do you have a question about getting your website started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Have Any Resources For App Development? Jun 05, 2015

Today's question comes from Kristin and Britain, who are looking for resources for planning and developing an iOS game. How can they get organized and started with development? In this episode, I talk about Elance (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/elance). Do you have a question about app development? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Does It Cost To Get A Niche Website Started? Jun 04, 2015

Today's question comes from Will, who asks about website startup costs. What does it take to get a new niche site up and running? Will is talking about my niche site, Security Guard Training (http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/). For keyword research, I used LongTail Pro (http://askpat.com/longtailpro). Market Samurai is another keyword tool (http://www.marketsamurai.com/), as is the Google Adwords Keyword Planning (https://adwords.google.com/KeywordPlanner). For domain hosting, I recommend Bluehost (http://askpat.com/bluehost). I used a free WordPress theme to start that. For email, I used Aweber (http://www.aweber.com/askpat). I used Elance for help with writing (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/elance). Do you have a question about starting a niche site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Optimize My Podcast's Metadata? Jun 03, 2015

Today's question comes from Ken, who wants to know how to optimize his podcast metadata. Ken’s podcast website is http://www.gregbennettsales.com/podcastm/. For keyword research, the Google Adwords Keyword Planning Tool may be useful (https://adwords.google.com/KeywordPlanner). Other keyword tools I recommend are LongTail Pro (http://askpat.com/longtailpro) and Market Samurai is another keyword tool (http://www.marketsamurai.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Things I Recommend New Bloggers Do Jun 02, 2015

Today's question comes from Phil, who asks what five things I’d recommend for new bloggers. Phil’s site is http://selfdevelopmentjourney.com/. The episode of the Smart Passive Income Podcast I recommend is episode 145 with Kimanzi Constable (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session145). Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make A Professional-Looking Info Product? Jun 01, 2015

AP 0355: How Do I Make a Professional-Looking Info Product? Today's question comes from David, who is ready to put out his first info product. He has the content—what’s the best way to make it look professional? The payment platform I mentioned is Gumroad (http://gumroad.com). The tools I recommend are WP Wishlist (http://member.wishlistproducts.com/), Zippy Courses (https://zippycourses.com/), and WP Courseware (https://flyplugins.com/wp-courseware/). Do you have a question about information products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is The Best Video Hosting Platform? May 29, 2015

Today's question comes from Fay, who is looking for a good, cost-effective video hosting platform. Here are my suggestions. YouTube is best for public videos and is the most cost-effective option (http://youtube.com/). Wistia is a more expensive option, but it will give you the best data and is ideal for paid communities (http://wistia.com/). Vimeo is another good option for videos in a paid course (http://vimeo.com/). Also, hear why I think you should upload videos directly to Facebook. Learn about creating great videos from my friend and videographer Caleb Wojcik (http://DIYVideoGuide.com and http://DIYVideoGuy.com). Do you have a question about video? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Also, share your advice with #AskPat354.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Convince A Company To Start An Affiliate Program? May 28, 2015

Today's question comes from Art, who needs advice on educating businesses on affiliate programs. How can he educate company owners on the benefit of affiliate programs? Art’s site is http://scapefu.com/. I’ve had experience with this problem with my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). For phone tracking, check out Call Rail (http://www.callrail.com/). I also reference episode 41 of the Smart Passive Income Podcast (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/affiliate-marketing-the-smart-way/). Do you have a question about affiliate programs? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Long Do I Wait Before Releasing A Course? May 27, 2015

Today's question comes from Danny, who asks how long he should wait (or how many subscribers he should have) before releasing a course. Danny’s site is http://thehindsightjournal.com/. Share your experiencing releasing courses using #AskPat351. Do you have a question about courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Interact With People On My Sales Page? May 26, 2015

Today's question comes from Pim, who wants to interact with people who land on his sales page. What’s a good tool for this? In this episode, I talk about the live chat feature, Olark (https://www.olark.com/), the heat map tools that can help you improve optimization, Crazy Egg (http://www.crazyegg.com/) and ClickTale (http://www.clicktale.com/). If you have any suggestions for Pim, share them using #AskPat351. Do you have a question about increasing your sales page conversions? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You First Make Money With Your Podcast? May 25, 2015

Today's question comes from Nicole, who has a podcast topic and wants to know how I first made money with the show. Nicole’s site is http://www.loveradianceskincare.com/. I talk with John Lee Dumas about podcast sponsorships on Smart Passive Income Session 97 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/facebook-webinar-conversion-adding-sponsors-podcast/). John is from Entrepreneur On Fire (http://www.entrepreneuronfire.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is A Good Alternative To Google Ads? May 22, 2015

Today’s question comes from Chava, who is looking for an alternative to Google Ads. What’s an alternative way to monetize her site? Chava’s site is http://www.ourkidscanthrive.com/. This is a great question. I talk about what I feel are the important things to keep in mind when monetizing your website. Do you have a question about monetization? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Edit Past Blog Posts? May 21, 2015

Today's question comes from Bethany, who asks about editing old blog posts. Do I edit old posts? How do I keep on top of what needs editing? Do you have a question about your blog? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Does Your Podcasting Workflow Look Like? May 20, 2015

Today's question comes from Lea, who asks about my podcasting workflow. What information do I send my guests? How do I do my research? What does the workflow during and after the podcast look like? Lea’s site is http://www.leapica.com/. In this episode, I mention Ramit Sethi (http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/). Listen to the whole episode to hear which songs my son loves. You’ll find the song soon by searching for #AskPat347.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is A Good Customer Support Ticket System? May 19, 2015

Today's question comes from Butch, who is looking for a good support ticketing plugin. I have several suggestions for tools. We use HelpScout for the Smart Podcast Player (https://www.helpscout.net/) to track support tickets and provide a support database (http://support.smartpodcastplayer.com/). We use Rhino Support at Create a Clickable Map (https://www.rhinosupport.com/) to track support tickets. Zendesk is another paid option that integrates nicely with WordPress (https://www.zendesk.com/). A free solution for WordPress is WP Support Plus Responsive Ticket System (https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-support-plus-responsive-ticket-system/). If you have a suggestion for Butch, share it using #AskPat346. Do you have a question about providing service to your customers? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Balance My Time Between Learning And Working? May 18, 2015

Today's question comes from Bill, who asks about time management. How should he split his time between working on the business and learning new skills? Bill’s site is http://www.traumamonkeys.com/. Bill mentions Fizzle (http://fizzle.co). I talk about advice from Jeremy over at Internet Business Mastery (http://internetbusinessmastery.com/). Do you have a question about time management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's The Best Way To Write For My Niche Site? May 15, 2015

Today's question comes from Anne, who has a question about the writing style for her niche site. Are posts made up of bullet points okay? I share my experiences with different writing styles on Smart Passive Income (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/) and at my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). Share your experiences with #AskPat344. Do you have a question about writing for your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Many Hours Do You Work Each Week? May 14, 2015

Today's question comes from Curt, who asks about my work-life balance. How many hours do I work in a week? Curt’s site is http://valuesdrivenresults.com/. In this episode I mention Hal Elrod’s The Miracle Morning (http://halelrod.com/). Do you have a question about building your business around your schedule? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Leverage The Success Of My Niche Site? May 13, 2015

Today's question comes from Garret, who has a successful niche site. How can he leverage that success to grow a larger business? Today’s caller mentioned Niche Pursuits (http://nichepursuits.com/), a great resource for information on making the most of your niche site. Do you have a question about niche sites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Increase My Social Following? May 12, 2015

Today's question comes from DJ D’Loose, who is looking to build his following across platforms. What can he do to increase interaction on Facebook, Soundcloud, and other platforms? In this episode I take a look at DJ D’Loose’s social media feeds and share my thoughts for how to better engage his audience. Do you have a question about increasing audience engagement? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Build Up My On Camera Confidence? May 11, 2015

Today's question comes from Gary, who needs to build his on-camera confidence. What are some good resources for building up this confidence? Toastmasters is a great resource for improving your public speaking (https://www.toastmasters.org/). Caleb Wojcik has lots of advice for improving your own videos (http://diyvideoguide.com). Do you have a question about your online presence? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get People To Use A New Forum? May 08, 2015

Today's question comes from Warren, who is planning to start a forum. How can he encourage users to contribute when the forum is still new and doesn’t have a lot of content? Warren’s site is http://www.thesuperblife.com/. Fizzle does a great job managing their community (http://fizzle.co/), as does Darren Rowse from Problogger (http://www.problogger.net/). Steve Kamb institutes challenges to keep his community engaged (http://www.nerdfitness.com/) Do you have a question about forums and Facebook? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Continue My Launch Plans When A Giant Competitor Releases Something Similar? May 07, 2015

Today's question comes from Laura, who needs help deciding if she should continue with her launch plans, given that a Google-backed venture has just launched something incredibly similar. What should she do? I need you to weigh in using #AskPat338. Would you keep going? The Google-backed project is http://digit.co/. Uber (https://www.uber.com/) and Lyft (https://www.lyft.com/) come to mind. I also discuss Meerkat (http://meerkatapp.co/) and Periscope (http://www.periscope.com/), Vine (https://vine.co/) and Instagram (http://instagram.com/). Do you have a question about your launch plans? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get People To Use My App? May 06, 2015

Today's question comes from Eric, who has an app that he wants his target audience to use. The app doesn’t need to make money; he just wants it to get used. Eric’s site is http://aboutmywoods.org/. Do you have advice for Eric? Share it with #AskPat337. Do you have a question about marketing your app? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Use Email For Product Validation? May 05, 2015

Today's question comes from Nickeya, who has a question about using email for product validation. This is an area I’m very interested in. I mention Chris Ducker's experiences with infomercials, which is very similar to how we can validate products in the online world (http://chrisducker.com/). Do you have a question about product validation? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Many Words Should A Blogger Write Every Day? May 04, 2015

Today's question comes from David, who is a new blogger. He asks, “How many words should I write per day?” Here are the tools I recommend: Five Minute Journal (http://www.fiveminutejournal.com/), 750 Words (http://750words.com/), and Jeff Goins’s 500 Word Challenge (http://goinswriter.com/my500words/). The sites I reference are Problogger (http://www.problogger.net/), Daily Blog Tips (http://www.dailyblogtips.com/), Social Triggers (http://socialtriggers.com/), and Become a Blogger (https://www.becomeablogger.com/). Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Tools Should I Use To Record A Video Podcast? May 01, 2015

Today's question comes from Kara, who has an audio podcast and is considering starting a video podcast. Which tools should she use to record her video podcast? Kara’s site is http://www.morningcooldown.com/. To learn about RSS feeds, go to my podcasting tutorial (http://podcastingtutorial.com). For video editing, I recommend Screenflow on Mac (http://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm) and Camtasia on a PC (https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html). For video podcasts, my videographer Caleb Wojcik (http://diyvideoguy.com/) introduced me to Podbean (http://www.podbean.com/). Vimeo Pro (https://vimeo.com/pro) is also a good choice for video podcasts. Do you have a tool to share? Use #AskPat334. Do you have a question about video podcasts? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make A Service Business Passive? Apr 30, 2015

Today's question comes from Emmanuel, who is a graphic designer. How can he take his service-based business and make it passive? To learn how to productize your services, listen to Smart Passive Income session 158 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-productize-your-service-based-business/). Do you have a question about your service-based business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Share your thoughts on this episode using #AskPat333.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Your Income Truly Passive? Apr 29, 2015

Today's question comes from Jeremy, who asks if my income is truly passive. Here are my thoughts on this great question. In the episode, I mention FoodTruckr (http://foodtruckr.com/). Do you have a question about passive income? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is Your Process For Capturing Thoughts For Writing? Apr 28, 2015

Today's question comes from Alain, who wants to know how I capture thoughts for my writing process. Share your writing process with #AskPat331. In this episode, I talk about Evernote (https://evernote.com/), Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php), and Rev (https://www.rev.com/) Do you have a question about the writing process? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Write Your Show Notes? Apr 27, 2015

Today's question comes from Brian, who is getting a new podcast started. He wants to know the best way to write out his show notes. In this episode I mention Amy Porterfield (http://www.amyporterfield.com/), Michael Hyatt (http://michaelhyatt.com/), and Cliff Ravenscraft (http://podcastanswerman.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Do I Need To Set Up An LLC? Apr 24, 2015

Today's question comes from Curtis, who is just getting started. He wants to know when he should set up the LLC. Does he have to do it right away or can he wait a little while? Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Do I Do When The Domain Name I Want Isn't Available? Apr 23, 2015

Today's question comes from Luca, who is starting a website, but the domain name he wants isn’t available. What should he consider as he picks a new site? I mention Glen Allsop from Viperchill (http://www.viperchill.com/), Zen Habits (http://zenhabits.net/), Problogger (http://problogger.net/), and Entrepreneur’s Journey (http://entrepreneurs-journey.com/), as well as this article from Niche Pursuits (http://www.nichepursuits.com/goodbye-exact-match-domains-hello-brandable-websites/). The Patent and Trade Office is online at http://www.uspto.gov/. Do you have a question about starting your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are The Best Practices For Managing WordPress Plugins? Apr 22, 2015

Today's question comes from Tyler, who is looking for advice regarding WordPress plugins. What’s the best way to managing frequent updates and making sure that features don’t break? I share my advice; share yours using #AskPat325. Do you have a question about your WordPress website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Find Broken Links On My Site? Apr 21, 2015

Today's question comes from Nathan, who wants to know if there is a quick method for finding and fixing broken links on his site. Nathan’s site is http://minneapolisrunning.com/. The plugin I recommend is Broken Link Checker (https://wordpress.org/plugins/broken-link-checker/). Do you have a question about keeping your website up to date? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Respond To Negative Comments? Apr 20, 2015

Today's question comes from Alice, who has received negative comments from members of her community. How should she respond? Should she respond? Alice’s site is http://www.yourdoulabag.com/. You can find Jay Baer at http://www.convinceandconvert.com/. Do you have a question about dealing criticism? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Narrow Should I Make My EBook Topic? Apr 17, 2015

Today's question comes from Jackie, who has written an ebook for a very narrow niche. Sales are good but not amazing. Should her next book topic be as narrow or should she go broader? Share your thoughts using #AskPat324. Jackie’s site is http://freedomthroughpassiveincome.com/. In this episode, I mention the tool Crazy Egg (http://www.crazyegg.com/). Do you have a question about topics for ebooks? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Increase Traffic To A New Website? Apr 16, 2015

Today's question comes from Alyce, who has a new website that is getting some attention. What can she do to keep building traffic? Alyce’s site is http://www.newstability.com/. In this episode I mention John Lee Dumas (http://entrepreneuronfire.com/), Caleb Wojcik (http://diyvideoguy.com/), Amy Porterfield (http://amyporterfield.com). Do you have a question about driving traffic to your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Many Podcast Listeners Do I Need Before Selling Ads? Apr 15, 2015

Today's question comes from John, who asks how many listeners he should have before he starts selling advertising. I share what I’ve learned about podcast advertising. Do you have a question about podcast advertising? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Do Keyword Research For The Amazon Kindle Marketplace? Apr 14, 2015

Today's question comes from Toni, who asks about software for keyword research in the Amazon Kindle marketplace. The Google keyword tools I recommend are Google Keyword Planner (https://adwords.google.com/KeywordPlanner) and Long Tail Pro (http://askpat.com/longtailpro) and Market Samurai. The Self Publishing Questions podcast has a good episode on this topic (http://www.selfpublishingquestions.com/keywords-tools/). One tool that specifically searches Amazon is available at Keyword Tool Dominator (http://www.keywordtooldominator.com/k/amazon-keyword-tool). Do you have a question about the Amazon Marketplace? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Restrict Access To My Email List Incentive? Apr 13, 2015

Today's question comes from Michael, who wants to restrict access to his email list incentive. What’s the best way to do this? In this episode I mention the WordPress SEO Plugin by Yoast (https://yoast.com/wordpress/plugins/seo/) and Meta Robots WordPress Plugin, also by Yoast (https://yoast.com/wordpress/plugins/meta-robots-wordpress-plugin/). Do you have a question about setting up your email list incentive? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Type Of Facebook Page Is Right For A New Business? Apr 10, 2015

Today's question comes from Josh, who has a question about Facebook pages for businesses. Should he use a Page or a closed Community Group page? Josh’s site is http://www.bestpedometerreview.com/. Do you have a question about using Facebook with your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Restrict The Countries My Facebook Ads Target? Apr 09, 2015

Today's question comes from Jim, who has a question about running Facebook ads. Is it a good idea to restrict Facebook ads to the United States? Jim’s site is http://www.microtutes.com/. In this episode, I mention Amy Porterfield’s (http://www.amyporterfield.com/) strategy for driving email signups to a webinar. A good webinar platform is GoToWebinar (http://www.gotomeeting.com/online/webinar). Rick Mulready has lots of advice on Facebook ads (http://rickmulready.com/). I also mention The Verge (http://www.theverge.com/). Do you have a question about using Facebook ads? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. If you have advice to share, use #AskPat318.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Homepage Changes Will Improve My Sales? Apr 08, 2015

Today's question comes from Alex, who wants to know what tweaks he can make to his homepage to improve sales. Alex’s site is http://www.cowboybillytime.com/. Cowboy Billly looks like Chase Reeves from Fizzle (http://fizzle.co/) and that is awesome. I give my advice on how to tweak the homepage—I have some easy changes that will improve optimization. Do you have a question about improving your sales page to increase conversions? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Capitalize On A Large Instagram Following? Apr 07, 2015

Today's question comes from RK, who has a friend with a large social media following. How can his friend monetize this following? Do you have a question about monetization? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. If you have advice, share it using #AskPat316.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Do I Need To Know About Joint Venture Partnerships? Apr 06, 2015

Today's question comes from Marty, who has a question about joint venture partnerships. Marty’s site is http://www.golfstrategyschool.com/. Marty mentioned the AudioTechnica ATR2100 microphone and my video podcast SPI TV (http://watchspi.tv), as well as the Fizzle membership community (http://fizzle.co). Do you have a question about partnerships? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. If you have advice for how Marty can provide value to his partners, share it with #AskPat315.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Set Up A Podcast Advertising Program? Apr 03, 2015

Today's question comes from Kris, who has a question about podcast advertising. I’ve learned a lot about podcast advertising and share my favorite resources. John Lee Dumas’s guide to podcast sponsors is incredibly helpful: http://entrepreneuronfire.com/podcast-sponsorships. I discussed podcast sponsorships with John Lee Dumas on Smart Passive Income Podcast episode 96 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session96). Do you have a question about podcast sponsorships? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Makes A Bigger Impact, A Blog Or A Podcast? Apr 02, 2015

Today's question comes from Sam, who asks which I think makes a bigger impact: a blog or a podcast. I share my thoughts on blogging, podcasting, and video blogging. Do you have a question about getting started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Aren't Visitors Using My Site? Apr 01, 2015

Today's question comes from Tom, who wonders why visitors to his site are not using it—even when they can get paid to use the site. I offer my thoughts. Tom’s site is http://crowdfoto.net/. Do you have a question about your website’s conversion? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Started Building A Website? Mar 31, 2015

Today's question comes from Ollisha, who needs some advice for getting started building a website. Here are the resources I recommend exploring in this episode: Squarespace (http://squarespace.com/), Bluehost (http://smartpassiveincome.com/bluehost); Entrepreneur on Fire (http://www.entrepreneuronfire.com/); Gary Vaynerchuck’s Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook (https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/new-york-times-bestselling-aut-649919693.html); and the Getting Started button on Smart Passive Income (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/passive-income-101/). Do you have a question about getting your business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Learn Copywriting To Improve My Website? Mar 30, 2015

Today's question comes from Tracy, who wants to make his blog look better. Should he learn copywriting? Tracy’s site is http://www.tracerammo.com/. I recommend checking the resources at Copyblogger (http://www.copyblogger.com/), especially this Copyblogger post on formatting (http://www.copyblogger.com/formatting-wordpress-posts/) Do you have a question about your blog’s appearance? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Should A Company Remove People From An Email List? Mar 27, 2015

Today's question comes from Donna, who has an observation about the way she uses emails from companies. When is it a good idea to clean your email list? Share your thoughts at #AskPat309. Do you have a question about managing your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do You Recommend Pretty Link Lite? Mar 26, 2015

Today's question comes from Jake, who wants to know why I recommend Pretty Link Lite vs Simple 301 Redirects. Jake’s site is http://www.familybeforefortune.com/. The two plugins Jake references are Pretty Link Lite (https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/) and Simple 301 Redirects (https://wordpress.org/plugins/simple-301-redirects/). I also explain what 301 redirects are. Do you have a question about managing links? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Know If What I'm Reading Is Current? Mar 25, 2015

Today's question comes from Richelle, who asks if the information on my site is current. I take a wider view of the question and share how to tell if what you’re reading online is current. For current social media advice, check out Social Media Examiner (http://socialmediaexaminer.com/). Share your tips on this topic using #AskPat307. Do you have a question about keeping your blog current? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Add A Donation Button To My Blog? Mar 24, 2015

Today's question comes from Giovanni, who asks about the use of a donation button. Is it a good idea to add a donation button to his site? Giovanni’s site is http://liveanddare.com/. I talk about the Muse headset (http://www.choosemuse.com/) and the Headspace app (https://www.headspace.com/). I also mention the guide I created for my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). For more on pay-what-you-want, listen to Smart Passive Income Podcast #58 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session58). Share your thoughts on this topic using #AskPat306. Do you have a question about monetizing your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Traffic To A New Site (Without Advertising)? Mar 23, 2015

Today's question comes from Daniel, who wants to know how to get traffic to a new site without paid advertising. I share my advice; share yours using #AskPat305. I mention the Smart Passive Income Podcast session 145 with Kimanzi Constable (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session145) and the roundup post on FoodTruckr (http://foodtruckr.com/2013/10/what-i-wish-id-known-before-starting-my-food-truck/). Head over to the Podcast Awards to vote for AskPat (http://www.podcastawards.com/). Do you have a question about your website’s traffic? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Makes A Good Email List Incentive? Mar 20, 2015

Today’s question comes from Bradley, who wonders what makes for a good email list incentive. Bradley’s site is http://senseyourenergy.com/. Bradley mentions eBooks the Smart Way (http://ebooksthesmartway.com/). I also discuss Smart Passive Income Podcast session 145 with Kimanzi Constable (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session145), session 78 with Clay Collins (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session78), and session 115 with Jessica (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session115); as well as Ramit Sethi’s site (http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/) and LeadPages (http://leadpages.net/). Do you have a question about your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Create Your Current Website Design? Mar 19, 2015

Today’s question comes from Chris, who asks about my current website design. I review what I’ve learned about web design. Here’s the post I reference about my theme design: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/history-of-themes-smart-passive-income/. Some of the resources I mention are Thesis (http://diythemes.com/), Copyblogger (http://www.copyblogger.com/), E-Junkie (http://www.e-junkie.com/), and Libsyn. My WordPress podcast player plugin is the Smart Podcast Player (http://www.smartpodcastplayer.com/). Do you have a question about your website design? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Keep MP3s For Customers Only? Mar 18, 2015

Today’s question comes from Anabell, who is looking for a way to distribute paid MP3s. Anabell’s site is http://pregnancyperfect.com/. Do you have a question about delivering paid products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is My Website Topic Too Broad? Mar 17, 2015

Today’s question comes from Gaby, who wants to know if her website topic is too broad. I share my thoughts—share yours using #AskPat301. In this episode, I mention Andrew Warner (http://www.mixergy.com); the Smart Passive Income episode with Lain Ehmann (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session151); Gary Keller and Jay Papasan’s book, The One Thing (http://www.the1thing.com/); and Greg McKeown’s book, Essentialism (http://gregmckeown.com/essentialism-the-disciplined-pursuit-of-less/). Do you have a question about your website’s topic? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Kind Of AskPat Questions Do You Like To Answer? Mar 16, 2015

Today’s question comes from Emilio, who wants to know what kinds of questions I get for AskPat. I share my thoughts on content strategy. Share yours using #AskPat300. Do you have a question about your content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Soon Should A Blogger Start Sharing Income Reports? Mar 13, 2015

Today’s question comes from Laurence, who wants to be transparent with her affiliate income. When is the right time to start sharing income reports? Laurence’s site is http://learntocodewith.me/. You can see my income reports here: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/my-income-reports/. You can find Pinch of Yum’s income reports here: http://pinchofyum.com/category/making-money-from-a-food-blog. National Novel Writing Month is http://nanowrimo.org/. Do you have a question about affiliate sales? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. If you have any ideas, share them with #AskPat299.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Promote My Products During My Podcast? Mar 12, 2015

Today’s question comes from Belah, who is looking for advice on how to appropriately promote her products while interviewing guests who also have something to promote. Belah’s site is http://delightyourmarriage.com/. If you have advice for Belah, share it using #AskPat298. Do you have a question about promoting products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Make Your Featured Images For Blog Posts? Mar 11, 2015

Today’s question comes from Mike, who wants to know how I create the images for my podcast posts. Here are the tools I use to make these look nice. Canva (http://canva.com/) is a great tool for creating shareable images. The big listing of resources from the Fizzle guys is available here: http://askpat.com/fizzle-images. For stock photography, I like Deposit Photos (http://depositphotos.com) and iStockPhotos (http://istockphotos.com/). The fonts I use are Proxima Nova (extra bold) and Pacifico. Do you have a question about the images on your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are Private Label Rights Still A Good Strategy? Mar 10, 2015

Today’s question comes from Mike, who has a question about private label rights, also called PLR. Are they still a good strategy for internet marketing? The episode of Smart Passive Income Podcast regarding Private Label Rights is Session #9 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session9). My guest for that episode was Nicole Dean (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/plr). Do you have a question about writing for your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Balance My Time Between Writing And Promotion? Mar 09, 2015

Today’s question comes from Aaron, who has been focusing intently on writing. How much time should he spend on promotion? The book Aaron mentions is The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan (http://www.the1thing.com/). Check out the episode of the Smart Passive Income Podcast with Kimanzi Constable to learn about writing for news sites (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session145). I also mention this post on the FoodTruckr niche site: http://foodtruckr.com/2013/10/what-i-wish-id-known-before-starting-my-food-truck/. Do you have a question about promoting your content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Select Your Niche Markets? Mar 06, 2015

Today’s question comes from Tim, who wants to know why I chose the niche markets I chose. My niche sites include serving security guard training (http://securityguardtraininghq.com) and food trucks (http://foodtruckr). I mention Gary Vaynerchuck’s book, Crush It (https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/new-york-times-bestselling-aut-649919693.html). Do you have a question about niche sites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Okay To Outsource Web Design? Mar 05, 2015

Today’s question comes from Melissa, who feels overwhelmed by the technical aspects of creating a website. Is it okay to outsource web design? What are some simple search engine optimization tips for the non-technically savvy? I recommend checking out WPCurve (http://askpat.com/wpcurve), Themeforest (http://themeforest.net), and WordPress SEO by Yoast (https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/). Do you have a question about your website’s design? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Build A Brand Without Alienating Existing Brands? Mar 04, 2015

Today’s question comes from Matt, who wants build his brand without alienating existing brands in his niche. Matt’s site is http://www.whyiwetshave.com/. I have tons of advice for him, but I want to hear yours as well. Share your advice using #AskPat292. I mention Themeforest, a great place for finding WordPress themes (http://themeforest.net/). Do you have a question about building your brand? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's The Best Way To Record Podcasts? Mar 03, 2015

Today’s question comes from Linda, who has a question about recording her podcast using Skype. Find Skype at http://skype.com/. The recorders I mention are Call Recorder by Ecamm for Macs (http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/) and Pamela for PCs (http://www.pamela.biz/en/download/). Do you have a question about podcast recording? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are There Free Alternatives To E-Junkie? Mar 02, 2015

Today’s question comes from Sara, who has a question about a service I’ve recommended, E-junkie. Sara’s site is http://www.inventingclarified.com/. Sara mentions my book, eBooks the Smart Way (http://ebooksthesmartway.com) and E-junkie, a tool for selling ebooks (http://www.e-junkie.com/). Another shopping solution I mention is Gumroad (http://gumroad.com/), which we’re using over at FoodTruckr (http://foodtruckr.com). Do you have a question about selling ebooks? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/ Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Change The Order Of My Autoresponder Series? Feb 27, 2015

AP 0289: Should I Change the Order of My Autoresponder Series? Today’s question comes from Andy, who has an autoresponder series. Some have a higher open rate—should he rearrange the emails so that those ones come first? Andy’s site is http://channelempire.com/. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Relax Your Mind After Working Late? Feb 26, 2015

Today’s question comes from Chris, who would like to know how I relax after working long into the night. I recommend Flux (https://justgetflux.com/) for automatically adjusting the brightness of your screen. I also talk about Smart Passive Income Podcast #150 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session150). Do you have a question about maintaining a daily schedule? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is A Good Day Job For Online Business Skill Building? Feb 25, 2015

Today’s question comes from Nick, who is in the process of creating an online business. He’d like his day job to help him build skills useful to his business. What’s a good field to work in? I give my advice—share yours with #AskPat287. Do you have a question about your career? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, SkilledUp, who helps you find the online courses you need to build your skills. Go to http://www.askpat.com/skilledup to download the free toolkit for web entrepreneurs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Podcasting Traffic Cyclical? Feb 24, 2015

Today’s question comes from David, who asks about podcasting traffic. His show’s traffic fell over the holidays and hasn’t rebounded yet. Is this normal? David’s site is http://www.xonebros.com/. I mention GameFly (http://www.gamefly.com/) and one of my other podcasts, 1 Day Business Breakthrough (http://1daybb.com/). Do you have a question about your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Encourage My Followers To Contribute To My Charity? Feb 23, 2015

Today’s question comes from Gary, who wants to know how best encourage his social media following to contribute to his charitable cause. Gary’s site is http://www.545miles.com. I mention my videographer, Caleb Wocjik (http://diyvideoguy.com/), as well as Edgar (http://meetedgar.com/), Buffer (http://bufferapp.com/), and using image posts on Facebook. The campaign sites that allow fundraising are Indiegogo (http://indiegogo.com/) and GoFundMe (http://www.gofundme.com/). Do you have a question about promoting your cause? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, SkilledUp, who helps you find the online courses you need to build your skills. Go to http://www.askpat.com/skilledup to download the free toolkit for web entrepreneurs. Thanks also to our other sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Explain A Long Absence To My Podcast Audience? Feb 20, 2015

Today’s question comes from Cornell, who took time off of his podcast due to some hard moments in his life. How does he explain the downtime to his audience? If you have advice for Cornell, share it using #AskPat284. My video channel is SPI TV (http://watchspi.tv), produced by Caleb Wojcik from DIY Video Guy (http://diyvideoguy.com/). Do you have a question about communicating with your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Transition A Niche Site To An Affiliate Site? Feb 19, 2015

Today’s question comes from Marlin, who wants to transition a niche site to an affiliate site. What’s the best way to do this? Marlin’s site is http://www.plantoprep.com/. Do you have a question about niche or affiliate sites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, SkilledUp, who helps you find the online courses you need to build your skills. Go to http://www.askpat.com/skilledup to download the free toolkit for web entrepreneurs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Choose Which Idea To Work On First? Feb 18, 2015

Today’s question comes Lee, who asks how to choose which project to start on first. How do you stay on track? We’ve all experienced this. Do you have a question about project planning? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Worth Trying To Compete In A Saturated Podcast Market? Feb 17, 2015

Today’s question comes from Alex, who would like to start a podcast in an already saturated niche. Is it worth trying to compete? Alex mentions one of my other podcasts, 1 Day Business Breakthrough (http://1daybb.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Does A Podcast-Only Website Look Like? Feb 16, 2015

Today’s question come from Alain, who is planning to start a podcast but not a blog. What should his website look like? Alain references my podcasting tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com), as well as the Smart Podcast Player (http://www.smartpodcastplayer.com/). The premium programs I recommend are Podcasting A to Z (http://podcastanswerman.com/atoz/) Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. To see the oldest episodes of AskPat, go to http://soundcloud.com/askpat. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Habit Has Had A Big Impact On Your Life? Feb 13, 2015

Today’s question comes from Drew, who wants to know which habits have had a big impact on my life. Here’s the Smart Passive Income Podcast episode that Drew mentions: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/early-morning-routine/. The projects I mention are 1 Day Business Breakthrough (http://1daybb.com/), the Smart Podcast Player (http://www.smartpodcastplayer.com/), and SPI TV (http://watchspi.tv/). I also talk about Muse (http://choosemuse.com/). Do you have a question about habits? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Do I Post My Articles To Best Demonstrate Authority? Feb 12, 2015

Today’s question comes from Richard, who is selling a product and wants to write articles to demonstrate his authority. Is it better to post the articles on his own blog or on an article-sharing site? Here’s my most recent post on backlinking: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/backlinking-strategy-2014-beyond/. Do you have a question about increasing your online authority? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Promote An eBook For Kids? Feb 11, 2015

Today’s question comes from Eddie, who is looking for tips on how to promote an ebook geared toward kids. My friend Katie Davis has lots of great advice for children’s authors: http://katiedavis.com/. The Amazon programs I discuss are KDP Select (https://kdp.amazon.com/select) and Giveaway (I called it Sweepstakes in the recording; http://www.amazon.com/gp/giveaway/home). The Smart Passive Income Podcast episode with Jeff Goins is session #079 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/book-marketing-time-travel/). Do you have a question about promoting your paid products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Improve The Graphics On My Website? Feb 10, 2015

Today’s question comes from Singleton, who is struggling with using Photoshop. What are some other resources for design? I recommend iStockPhoto (http://www.istockphoto.com/) and DepositPhotos (http://depositphotos.com/) for finding stock photos. If you use Flickr, make sure to use the advanced search (https://www.flickr.com/search/advanced) to filter for the appropriate Creative Commons license. Here’s the link to my article on how to appropriately use images: askpat.com/images2. For image creation and manipulation, I recommend Canva (http://canva.com/), PicMonkey(http://www.picmonkey.com/), and Paint (http://www.getpaint.net/). Do you have a question about the look of your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Do I Start Sharing My Website On Social Media? Feb 09, 2015

Today’s question comes from Kevin, who is just getting his website started. When is the appropriate time to start sharing the site on social media? Kevin’s site is http://www.kevinburke2.com/. The article on website launches I reference is http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-launch-a-brand-new-website/. I also discuss my niche site FoodTruckr (http://www.foodtruckr.com) and Corbett Barr, from Think Traffic, which is now Sparkline at Fizzle (http://fizzle.co/sparkline). Do you have advice to share? Use the hashtag #AskPat275. Do you have a question about social media and your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to everyone who has subscribe to SPI TV! You can watch it here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlDJEdc_B8s). Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Hold a Book Signing for an eBook? Feb 06, 2015

Today’s question comes from Robert, who asks what replaces a book signing with digital-only books. Robert’s site is http://www.hardcoreselfhelp.com/. If you have a suggestion for what Robert can do, share it with #AskPat274. Do you have a question about ebooks? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Optimize My 404 Page? Feb 05, 2015

Today’s question comes from Bartek, who purchased and repurposed an active website. He’s getting traffic to the previous owner’s old posts, and they get a 404 error. Should he try to capture this traffic? Bartek’s site is http://rozmowyodzieciach.pl. Do you have a question about optimizing the pages on your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Price My Product Tiers? Feb 04, 2015

Today’s question comes from Kris, who is looking for some guidance in creating his product tiers. Kris’s site is http://www.essentialsql.com/. I’ve learned a lot from Nathan Barry on tiered pricing (http://nathanbarry.com/). Do you have a question about product pricing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, SkilledUp, who helps you find the online courses you need to build your skills. Go to http://www.askpat.com/skilledup to download the free toolkit for web entrepreneurs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I've Identified My Target Audience. Now How Do I Find Them? Feb 03, 2015

Today’s question comes from Angeline, who has identified her target audience—but now needs to know how to find them! What can she do to connect with them? Angeline’s site is http://sensiblegirlfriend.com/. I walk you through a neat tool for finding where your audience spends time online. Do you have a question about finding your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should My Brand Be Me Or My Company? Feb 02, 2015

Today’s question comes from Bill, who asks if his online brand should be him or his company. What a great question! Bill’s site is http://digitalfarm.com/. Do you have a question about branding? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is A Good Click-Through Rate For Email Newsletters? Jan 30, 2015

Today’s question comes from Jeff, who wants to know what is considered a good click-through rate for email newsletters. Jeff’s site is http://www.homerepairtutor.com/. Do you have a question about building your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Switch To A Different Niche? Jan 29, 2015

Ali has just gotten started with her website, but she has found another niche that is inspiring to her. Should she switch to the other niche? The book I mention is The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan (http://www.the1thing.com/). Derek Halpern’s site is Social Triggers (http://socialtriggers.com/). Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Monetize My Parenting Site? Jan 28, 2015

Today’s question comes from TJ, who has a parenting sites for dads. How can he monetize his site? I have lots of ideas. Do you have a question about monetizing your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to those of you will be attending 1 Day Business Breakthrough, either in person or virtually! Go to http://1daybb.com/ and use the promo code ASKPAT to take 15% off. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Grow My Online Business? Jan 27, 2015

Today’s question from Sean who is just getting started setting up his business. How can he grow his business? Where is the best place to recruit web support staff? I reference Smart Passive Income podcast episode 144 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session144) and episode 99 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/99). Check out the Fulfilled by Amazon program (http://services.amazon.com/content/fulfillment-by-amazon.htm). I also discuss working with contractors on Elance (http://askpat.com/elance)and oDesk (http://askpat.com/odesk). Do you have a question about how to grow your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Grow Your Income With Bluehost? Jan 26, 2015

Today’s question comes from Bobbie, who wonders how my relationship with Bluehost has grown over the years, and what I’ve done to foster that growth. What a great question! I share my history with Bluehost and how I grew my affiliate income with them. Do you have a question about affiliate income? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Use Social Media To Grow My Audience? Jan 23, 2015

Today’s question comes from Victoria, who asks about how to social media to build her subscriber base. Victoria’s site is https://sillysparklessensory.wordpress.com/. I mention LeadPages, for which I am an advisor (http://askpat.com/leadpages). I also mention the great social media scheduling tools Buffer (http://www.bufferapp.com/) and Edgar (http://meetedgar.com/), as well as Tweriod (http://www.tweriod.com/). If you have additional advice, share it using #AskPat264. Do you have a question about using social media to grow your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Make My Site Stand Out? Jan 22, 2015

Today’s question comes from Josh, whose website is still new. What can he do to build traffic to his site? Joshua’s site is http://www.joshuapcornwell.com/. Do you have a question about how to improve your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Add Personality To A Serious Topic? Jan 21, 2015

Today’s question comes from Michelle, who wants to make a fun site for a serious topic. How can she accomplish this? I reference my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). Do you have a question about finding the right tone for your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Get One-on-One Engagement with My Audience? Jan 20, 2015

Today’s question comes from Kris, who doesn’t get a response when he reaches out to audience members individually. How can he get his audience to realize that these emails are individual and not bulk? Kris’s site is http://successfulperformercast.com/. I recommend the tool Rapportive (https://rapportive.com/) for integrating social media with your email account. Do you have a question about engaging your customers? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Should I Format My eBook Giveaway? Jan 19, 2015

Ryan is looking for advice on formatting an ebook, and he noticed that my ebook, eBooks the Smart Way, is formatted in three columns. Would I recommend that he do the same? Find eBooks the Smart Way at http://www.ebooksthesmartway.com/. Do you have a question about ebooks and giveaways? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new podcast with Chris Ducker at http://1daybb.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Manage Multiple Domains With A Single Hosting Account? Jan 16, 2015

Today’s question comes from Joshua, who has a question about how to manage multiple domains with a single host. Joshua’s site is http://informationtechnologytraining.biz/. The hosts I recommend are Bluehost (http://askpat.com/bluehost) and if you have the traffic that requires a dedicated host, Linode (https://www.linode.com/). Use #AskPat259 to share your advice on shared hosting. Do you have a question about managing your websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Learn To Sound Natural On The Microphone? Jan 15, 2015

Today’s question comes from Warren, who would like to start a podcast but is worried that he won’t sound natural. How can he work to improve his communication skills? Warren’s site is http://www.thesuperblife.com/. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks for your support of both my launches this week! For podcast creators, check out the Smart Podcast Player (http://www.smartpodcastplayer.com); for podcast consumers, check out my new podcast with Chris Ducker (http://1daybb.com). Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is The Sample Of My Book Hurting My Sales? Jan 14, 2015

Today’s question comes from Guillermo, who wonders if the sample of his ebook is hurting his sales. Do you have a question about promoting your products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks for your support of the new 1DayBB podcast, which features my buddy Chris Ducker and I tackling one small business owner’s most pressing problem. Find it here: http://1daybb.com/ Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Act Ethically In A Crowded Market? Jan 13, 2015

Today’s question comes from Andrew, who is trying to find an ethical way to stand out in a crowded market online. Here’s the link to Brian Regan’s comedy bit about “the me monster” (http://youtu.be/vymaDgJ7KLg). Do you have a question about getting noticed by your target audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Focus On Writing More Often Or Writing Deeply? Jan 12, 2015

Today’s question comes from Alyssa, who ask about the balance of content frequency versus depth. Alyssa’s site is http://www.earnyourspurs.com/. The podcast editing services I recommend are Music Radio Creative (http://musicradiocreative.com/askpat) and TwentyFour Sound (http://twentyfoursound.com/). I talk about Derek Halpern, who you can find at Social Triggers (http://socialtriggers.com/). Check out the Smart Podcast Player plugin for WordPress, which my team and I launched today! http://www.smartpodcastplayer.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Have A Business Or Do I Have A Hobby? Jan 09, 2015

Today’s question comes from Talia, whose audience shies away from public engagement and purchasing online products. What should she do? Talia’s site is http://www.partyinmyplants.com/. Do you have a question about engaging with your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Prepare My Email List For A Message Shift? Jan 08, 2015

Today’s question comes from Katie, who is planning to target a broader audience than before. How should she prepare her mailing list for this change? Katie’s site is http://katiedavis.com/. In this episode, I talk about Infusionsoft (http://www.infusionsoft.com/) which is an email service provider and customer management system. Do you have a question about managing your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What If A Big Company Takes My Idea? Jan 07, 2015

Today’s question comes from Brooke, who has an idea to get started. She knows it will be successful, but is worried that a large company will take her idea and out-compete her, and she would like to know my thoughts on this. I’ve had some experience with this over at my niche site, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). Share your thoughts with #AskPat252. Do you have a question about getting started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Is Better, Evergreen Content Or Lots Of Blog Posts? Jan 06, 2015

Andy is starting a site to help people pass an exam. Is it better to focus on writing a few evergreen posts for his site, or should he write a blog on an ongoing basis? Andy references the site that got me started online, Green Exam Academy (http://www.greenexamacademy.com/). Some examples of evergreen content from Smart Passive Income include my Podcasting Tutorial (http://www.podcastingtutorial.com/), my email list tutorial (http://www.startanemaillist.com), and eBooks the Smart Way (http://ebooksthesmartway.com). Do you have a question about blogging and building a niche site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is The Future Of Email Lists? Jan 05, 2015

Rebecca has a thriving site, and she’s noticed that her younger users don’t prefer email. What do I think will be the future of audience communication? Is it email, or is there something else? Rebecca’s site is http://evidencebasedbirth.com/. In this episode, I talk about apps, including my own, which you can download here: http://smartpassiveincome.com/app. Do you have a question about email lists and the future of communication? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should My Online Course Have Open Registration Or Registration Windows? Jan 02, 2015

Cassel returns to ask about online courses. Should she have open registration or registration windows that close after a short time? Cassel’s site is http://scrapbookcampus.com/. I reference episodes of the Smart Passive Income Podcast with David Siteman Garland (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-build-an-online-course-that-sells/) and Amy Porterfield (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/3-part-video-series-launch/). To discuss this episode, use #AskPat249. Do you have a question about online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Avoid Information Overload? Jan 01, 2015

The first question of 2015 comes from Khan, who would like to know which blogs I follow. More specifically, he’s trying to avoid information overload. I found Gary Keller’s book, The One Thing, very useful for figuring out what I need to focus on. I also like using Evernote (http://www.evernote.com/) to keep track of information for future use. Do you have a question about organizing your time? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Use A Layout For Your Blog Posts? Dec 31, 2014

Today’s question comes from Winston, who would like to know if I have a template or layout for writing my blog posts. I reference Smart Passive Income Podcast #140 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/early-morning-routine/), where I discuss with Hal Elrod the strategy for building a morning routine. Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Infobarrel Still A Good Place To Get Started Making Money Online? Dec 30, 2014

Today’s question comes from Adam, who is referencing Smart Passive Income Podcast #15 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session15) where I recommend starting with Infobarrel (http://www.infobarrel.com/). Do you have a question about getting started with passive income? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Manage Business Partnerships? Dec 29, 2014

Today’s question comes from Ann, who is interested in setting up a partnership on a project. How do you set that up? Ann references my partnership with Chris Ducker at http://1daybb.com/. Do you have a question about creating a business partnership? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merry Christmas And Thanks For Listening! Dec 26, 2014

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Thank you so much for listening to AskPat this year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Conferences Would You Recommend Attending? Dec 26, 2014

Reuben asks for a list of five conferences I would recommend attending in 2015. I give a top seven—conferences I have attended in the past that have been very useful for me. Social Media Marketing World: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/smmworld/ New Media Expo: http://nmxlive.com/2015-lv/ Podcast Movement: http://podcastmovement.com/ New Media Europe: http://newmediaeurope.com/2015/ Platform Conference: http://www.platformconference.tv/ FinCon: http://finconexpo.com/ 1DayBB: http://1daybb.com/ Do you have a question about conferences? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Restrict My Facebook Advertising To Desktop Computers Only? Dec 24, 2014

Today’s question comes from Jim, who wants to advertise his sales site on Facebook. Because people are less likely to purchase from a mobile phone, should he only advertise to desktop computer users? Jim’s site is http://huntersapron.com/. For this episode, I brought in my friend Rick Mulready, who is an expert in Facebook advertising. Find more from Rick at http://rickmulready.com/. His new podcast, The Art of Paid Traffic, is coming soon! Do you have a question about advertising your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. If you have advice to share with Jim, use #AP242. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Publish My Blog Post Before Peak Hours? Dec 23, 2014

Today’s question comes from Joseph. He references episode #0089 of AskPat, which tackled the best time to post a blog post. Should he publish his blog post a little before the ideal time? Joseph’s site is http://www.jmlalonde.com/. You can find episode #0089 here: https://soundcloud.com/askpat/best-day-and-time-to-publish-blog-post. I mention the book The Bulletproof Diet: http://www.amazon.com/The-Bulletproof-Diet-Reclaim-Upgrade/dp/162336518X/&tag=smartpassiveincome-20. Do you have a question about publishing schedules? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did You Have Prior Experience With Your Niche Site Industries? Dec 22, 2014

Today’s question comes from Benjamin, who asks if I had experience in the security guard or food truck industries before creating my niche sites, http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/ and http://foodtruckr.com/. In this episode, I mention using Elance for writing help (http://askpat.com/elance). Do you have a question about writing for a niche site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Outsource My Writing To Fiverr? Dec 19, 2014

Today’s question comes from Dan, who wants to know if he can use Fiverr for written content. In today’s episode, I discuss how to use Fiverr (http://fiverr.com/) and Elance (http://www.askpat.com/elance) to help with your blog writing. Also, check out Speakpipe if you need to take questions from your audience (https://www.speakpipe.com/). Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Tag your guess for who said today’s quote with #AskPat239. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Monetize My Site? Dec 18, 2014

E.J. has a niche site with a #1 Google ranking—but no affiliate offers. What else can he do to monetize the site? E.J.’s site is http://cubicletent.com/. Do you have a question about site monetization? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create A Paid Premium Podcast? Dec 17, 2014

We have a special guest today! Stephanie wants to limit the number of free podcasts her audience can access, so that they will subscribe to her premium podcast. I’ve brought in my friend, Cliff Ravenscraft, also known as Podcast Answer Man, to answer this question. Find Cliff at http://podcastanswerman.com/. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Find A Mastermind Group? Dec 16, 2014

Today’s question comes from Rowland, an experienced business owner looking for a mastermind group. Rowland’s site is http://winestorageguide.com/. I discuss the mastermind groups I am in with Cliff from http://podcastanswerman.com/ and Jaime from http://eventualmillionaire.com/. I also mention checking http://www.meetup.com/. Do you have a question about running your mastermind group? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Make My Book Club Valuable? Dec 15, 2014

Chris is in the process of reviving his nearly dead blog (http://golfmoreswingless.com/) and he wants to add a book club. How can he add value and monetize it? I have a book club, which you can join here: http://patflynn.com/book-club/. Do you have a question about ways to reach your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Do I Do When I Think My Niche Site Is Done? Dec 12, 2014

Dan has a niche site that is cyclical in nature and he feels he has taken the site as far as he can. What should he do next? Dan’s site is http://www.howtogetonrealitytv.net/. Do you have a question about taking your niche site to the next level? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Is It Okay To Repurpose Content? Dec 11, 2014

Cassel is considering repurposing content and wants to know if there are any problems she might encounter. Cassel’s site is http://scrapbookcampus.com/. Do you have a question about content repurposing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is Music Radio Creative. Go to http://musicradiocreative.com/askpat for more information on podcast intros, commercials, and jingles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Know You'd Be Successful? Dec 10, 2014

Mike is getting started with his online business and he wants to know how I knew my business was going to succeed. I recommend reading Steven Pressfield’s book, The War of Art. I also recommend listening to the Internet Business Mastery podcast (http://www.internetbusinessmastery.com/). Do you have a question about getting started with your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Do I Add Sponsors To My Podcast? Dec 09, 2014

Jackson is about to start his podcast and is interested in having sponsors. Should he recruit sponsors for the first episode or should he build up a listener base first? Jackson’s site is http://incredibleentrepreneurs.com/. Check out my chat with John Lee Dumas about finding sponsors on Smart Passive Income episode 97: http://smartpassiveincome.com/session97. Do you have a question about podcast sponsorships? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Should I Use Google Adsense? Dec 08, 2014

Today’s question comes from Avi, who asks why I don’t use Google Adsense on the Smart Passive Income blog. I don’t use it on http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/ but I do use it on http://www.foodtruckr.com and http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/. Here’s why. To celebrate my birthday, I’m raising money for Pencils of Promise to build schools in Ghana. Learn more and donate at http://askpat.com/birthday. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When I Create A Second Niche Business, Do I Need New Social Media Accounts? Dec 05, 2014

Today’s question comes from Lain, who was my guest on the Smart Passive Income Podcast episode 37: (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-monetize-a-hobby/). Lain’s sites are http://www.layoutaday.com/ and http://lainehmann.com/. She has a popular, established business in the scrapbooking niche, and is creating a new business in a different niche. Should she create separate social media profiles for the new business, or should she mix in the new information with her existing accounts? Share your thoughts using the hashtag #AskPat229. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is The Fastest Way To Promote My Products? Dec 04, 2014

Annette is looking to promote her products and wants to find the fastest way to promote her products. Annette’s site is http://www.thomasapublishing.com/. Do you have a question about selling your products to a new audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Offer A Free Trial For My Product? Dec 03, 2014

Jarrod is ready to launch his product and wants to know about the pros and cons of offering a free trial. Jarrod’s site is http://thepegeek.com/. Jarrod was a part of 1 Day Business Breakthrough; more coming soon at http://1daybb.com. In this episode, I recommend Flurry Analytics (http://www.flurry.com/solutions/analytics). Do you have a question about selling your product? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Started Tracking My Business Income? Dec 02, 2014

Stephanie is a college student with a blog that has started to generate income. She is looking for some free strategies to get started tracking her business income and expenses. The app I recommend is TaxBot (https://taxbot.com/landing/home). Do you have an accounting strategy you’d like to suggest? Use the hashtag #AskPat226 to share it with us. Do you have a question about tracking your business records? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is Music Radio Creative. Go to http://musicradiocreative.com/askpat for more information on podcast intros, commercials, and jingles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Podcasting Equipment Would You Recommend? Dec 01, 2014

Gabe is interested in starting a podcast and video blog and is looking for recommendations on the best equipment to use. For a complete list of equipment, visit my podcasting tutorial at http://podcastingtutorial.com/. A few highlights from the list: the Heil PR-40 microphone or the ATR2100 microphone and the Xeynx 1002 mixer or the Scarlett 2i2 mixer. The DSLRs that I love are the Canon Rebel series. The webcam I like is the Logitech C920. Check out Caleb Wojcik’s site for more video and audio advice, DIY Video Guy: http://diyvideoguy.com/. Do you have a question about video and audio recording? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Map Out A Process For A Presentation? Nov 28, 2014

Mike is giving a presentation and is looking for a way to map/illustrate his business process when he’s giving a presentation. I recommend Lucid Chart (https://www.lucidchart.com/) and Draw.io (http://draw.io/), as well as FreeMind (http://freemind.sourceforge.net/) and MindMeister (http://mindmeister.com/). Do you have a question about giving presentations? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Thankful For You Nov 27, 2014

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States. I share my family's gratitude practice on Thanksgiving. I'm so grateful to have the chance to know you and to serve you. Thanks for listening to AskPat and thank you so much for being part of my life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Offer Enhanced Content Along With Posts? Nov 26, 2014

Catherine wants to begin offering enhanced content and wants to make sure her users have a good experience. Catharine’s site is http://askthedentist.com/. Do you have a question about offering downloads? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Balance Promotion and Creation? Nov 25, 2014

Today’s question comes from Joel, who asks how to balance the time spent creating content versus promoting content. Do you have a question about balancing your work schedule? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Find Good Partnerships To Grow My Sales? Nov 24, 2014

Glenn’s growth strategy relies on networking with people with large email lists. How can he find these people? Glenn’s site is http://survivalstill.com/. Do you have a question about finding the people you want to help? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Money-Back Guarantee Best Practices? Nov 21, 2014

Mike is selling a product. He offers a money-back guarantee and wants to know more about best practices and acceptable cancellation rates. Mike’s site is http://aceorganicchem.com/. Do you have a question about selling best practices? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Create Your Tutorials? Nov 20, 2014

Doug is getting his niche site started and he wants to know how to create tutorials for his site. Go to http://podcastingtutorial.com for an example of the tutorials Doug is talking about. Splasheo (http://www.splasheo.com/) made my video intros. Screenflow (http://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm) and Camtasia (http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html) are great video tutorial editors. The microphone I recommend is the AudioTechnica ATR 2100. The lavalier microphone I recommend is the Rode smartLav. The widget I use for taking questions is Speakpipe (http://askpat.com/speakpipe). Do you have a question about creating tutorials? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get Started With My App Idea? Nov 19, 2014

Britney has an app idea, but doesn’t have the money to get started developing it. Where should she start? In this episode, I recommend Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/) and Indiegogo (http://www.indiegogo.com/) to test out the idea and to raise funds. Do you have a question about app development? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is Music Radio Creative. Go to http://musicradiocreative.com/askpat for more information on podcast intros, commercials, and jingles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What If I Picked The Wrong Name For My Website Or Podcast? Nov 18, 2014

April from DIY Nuru (http://diynuru.com/) wants to know if she should change her website and podcast name. I’d like your opinion—tell us what you think April should do using #AskPat216. I tell my story of what happened to my “In the LEED” website and how to do a permanent 301 redirect. Do you have a question about naming a website or product? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Optimize My Website's Resources Page? Nov 17, 2014

Cindy has followed by advice in building her website. She’s ready to level up her resources page and wants to know where to get started. Cindy’s site is http://realfoodwithcindy.com/. The WordPress plugin I recommend is Pretty Link Lite: https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/. Do you have a question about improving your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Set Up My Own Affiliate Program? Nov 14, 2014

Melanie is ready to set up her own affiliate program and is looking for the best practices to set it up right. Melanie’s site is http://fit4two.ca/. In this episode, I recommend Commission Junction (http://www.cj.com/), Neverblue (http://www.neverblue.com/), and Clickbank (http://www.clickbank.com). I also share these services: Post Affiliate Pro (http://postaffiliatepro.com/), Affiliate Royale (http://www.affiliateroyale.com/), Infusionsoft (http://www.infusionsoft.com/), E-Junkie (http://www.e-junkie.com/), aMember (http://www.amember.com/), AffiliateWP (http://affiliatewp.com/), iDevAffiliate (http://www.idevdirect.com/), and 1ShoppingCart (http://www.1shoppingcart.com/). Do you have a question about affiliate programs? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Find The Right Mindset To Stay Motivated? Nov 13, 2014

Trends asks me how I stay motivated to keep producing on my businesses. Trends’s website is http://www.masteringevents.com/. Do you have a question about finding the right mindset to keep you running your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Books Teach The Skills Needed To Run An Online Business? Nov 12, 2014

Today’s question comes from Matt, who asks which are my favorite books for learning the specific skills needed to run an online business. Matt’s site is http://www.introvertimpact.com/. The books I recommend: Virtual Freedom by Chris Ducker, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, The 4-Hour Chef by Tim Ferriss, and How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Do you have a question about skill development? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is Music Radio Creative. Go to http://musicradiocreative.com/askpat for more information on podcast intros, commercials, and jingles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Follow Up With People Who Unsubscribe? Nov 11, 2014

Today’s question comes from Jon, who has a question about his mailing list. Jon’s site is http://classicallytrained.net/. Share your thoughts on this question by using the hashtag #AskPat211. Do you have a question about your mailing list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Recruit An Honest Focus Group? Nov 10, 2014

Our question today comes from Peter, who is starting a business-to-business podcast. He would like to run a sample episode past a focus group, and wants to know where to find participants who will give honest feedback. Check out the Smart Passive Income Podcast #129 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session129) to learn more about Peek (http://peek.usertesting.com/), which is a great user-testing tool. I also mention Fiverr (http://fiverr.com) Do you have a question about improving your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Share Other People's Videos In My YouTube Stream? Nov 07, 2014

John is getting started with his YouTube channel, and is considering sharing other people’s videos in his feed. Is this a good idea? Do you have a question about creating and sharing videos? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Maximize The Audience Coming In From A Guest Post? Nov 06, 2014

Today’s question comes from Craig, who has a question about welcoming an audience who comes to his site through a guest post. In this episode, I recommend the LeadBoxes feature from LeadPages (http://www.askpat.com/leadpages). Do you have a question about making the most of the traffic that comes to your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Stay Informed When You're Not In The Industry? Nov 05, 2014

Andrew has a question about my very first business, Green Exam Academy. Now that I’m no longer active in the architecture industry, how do I stay informed enough to keep my advice current? I recommend using Google Alerts (http://alerts.google.com/). Do you have a question about creating information products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is Music Radio Creative. Go to http://musicradiocreative.com/askpat for more information on podcast intros, commercials, and jingles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Feel When Someone Copies Your Work? Nov 04, 2014

Ari has noticed other blogs that have copied aspects of my design, and he wants to know how that makes me feel. Do you have a question about running an online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Using An Old Email Provider. How Do I Switch? Nov 03, 2014

Jeff is using an older email provider and needs advice for switching to a more professional solution. Jeff’s site is http://customstix.com/. Check out the Smart Passive Income Podcast 115 on email management: http://smartpassiveincome.com/session115 I also love Boomerang for Gmail, which allows you to schedule email: http://www.boomeranggmail.com/. I also mention Rapportive: https://rapportive.com/. Do you have a question about improving your business systems? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Comes First, The Blog Or The Podcast? Oct 31, 2014

Micky is starting a podcast and would like to create a blog that features her podcast guests. Which one should she start first? Check out my podcasting tutorial at http://www.podcastingtutorial.com/. Do you have a question about getting started with your online project? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Wait Until I'm Finished Before Launching My Course? Oct 30, 2014

Today’s question comes from Stan, who is developing a video course and has a question about his launch strategy. Stan’s site is http://greekforall.com/. Do you have a question about launching a course? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is Music Radio Creative. Go to http://musicradiocreative.com/askpat for more information on podcast intros, commercials, and jingles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Want To Improve My Site. Where Should I Start? Oct 29, 2014

Rene has been blogging for two years and is now in improvement mode. Where should he begin? Rene’s site is http://absolutetelemark.com/. To understand how people are using your site, try a tool like Crazy Egg (http://www.crazyegg.com/). Do you have a question about improving your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, AWeber. Your email list is your most valuable asset—get started today. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Monetize My Writing After Giving It Away For Free? Oct 28, 2014

Christian has been giving away his content for free. Now he’s ready to sell a product, but what should he sell if he’s been giving it all away for free? Christian’s site is http://christianboyce.blogspot.com/. Do you have a question about selling your first product? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Flippa. Flippa is the #1 marketplace for buying and selling websites. Go to http://www.flippa.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Should I Consider When Hiring A UX/UI Designer? Oct 27, 2014

Joel is getting his business off the ground and would like advice about hiring a User Experience (UX) or User Interface (UI) designer. I share my experience—and let you hear from my UX/UI designer, Dustin. Leave your feedback for this show using the hashtag #AskPat200. Do you have a question about hiring team members? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Flippa. Flippa is the #1 marketplace for buying and selling websites. Go to http://www.flippa.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Target The People Who Didn't Open My Emails? Oct 24, 2014

Joel asks how to target the people on his list who haven’t opened his emails. What’s the best strategy to get them to open the next email? Joel’s site is http://www.trackandtrain.org/. For my advice on starting an email, go to http://startanemaillist.com. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Passive Income Tips Work For Fiction Writers? Oct 23, 2014

Today’s question comes from Roger, who is a writer of thrillers, and he asks which passive income tips work best for fiction writers. I recommend checking out the Self Publishing Podcast (https://selfpublishingpodcast.com/), as well as Smart Passive Income Podcast episode #79 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/79). If you have ideas, tweet them using the hashtag #AskPat198. Do you have a question about promoting your fiction? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is Music Radio Creative. Go to http://musicradiocreative.com/askpat for more information on podcast intros, commercials, and jingles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Cameras Do You Recommend For Creating Videos? Oct 22, 2014

Vinnie wants to know which camera I use in my Podcasting Tutorial videos. In addition to cameras, the tools I recommend are CineSkates (http://cinetics.com/cineskates/) and Screenflow (http://askpat.com/screenflow) or Camtasia (http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html). My free podcasting tutorial is available at http://podcastingtutorial.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Flippa. Flippa is the #1 marketplace for buying and selling websites. Go to http://www.flippa.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do I Choose WordPress For My Blog? Oct 21, 2014

Jonny asks why I use WordPress instead of SquareSpace or another alternative. Jonny’s site is http://safestaff.com. The platforms I mention are WordPress (https://wordpress.org/), SquareSpace (http://www.squarespace.com/), and Wix (http://www.wix.com/). For WordPress hosting and easy installation, I recommend Bluehost (http://askpat.com/bluehost). Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Does It Take To Revive A Dead Blog? Oct 20, 2014

Uzoma hasn’t written on his blog in eight months and wants to know what it will take to revive the blog. I share a process that should help get him back in the game. Do you have a question about blogging after a break? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is The Ideal Length For Epic Content? Oct 17, 2014

Ryan has a two-part question on epic content. How long should it be? Is it okay to break up older epic content into shorter chapters? Check out Brian Dean’s epic SPI post on backlinking: http://www.askpat.com/backlinking. Do you have a question about writing epic content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Use The Bonus Sandwich For Betting Selling? Oct 16, 2014

Marco wants to know how to use the bonus sandwich selling concept for an existing book. Do you have a question about selling your products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is Music Radio Creative. Go to http://musicradiocreative.com/askpat for more information on podcast intros, commercials, and jingles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Does SpeakPipe Work? Do I Have To Worry About Trolls? Oct 15, 2014

Today’s question comes from Merinda, who is interested in using SpeakPipe so that her users can record questions. Are there any problems with trolls? Find SpeakPipe is at https://www.speakpipe.com/. Do you have a question about podcasting tools? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Am I Going To Buy That Audi R8? Oct 14, 2014

Anthony has a fun question—when am I going to buy an Audi R8? There’s a backstory to this question, and it revolves around goal setting. Let me know on Twitter what you think about this episode by using the hashtag #AskPat191. Do you have a question about setting goals? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Blogging Over? Oct 13, 2014

Phoenix has a question about an article he read that caused him to wonder, is blogging over? I give my opinion. Phoenix’s site is http://thetattootrade.com/. In this episode I mention Greg Hickman from Mobile Mixed: http://mobilemixed.com/. Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Encourage Podcast Reviews? Oct 10, 2014

Kristin is starting a new podcast and is planning to run a giveaway for people who leave an iTunes review. I offer some tactics for making this plan easier, as well as some other ideas to drive engagement. The tool I mention is My Podcast Reviews: http://askpat.com/mypodcastreviews Do you have a question about building podcast engagement? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is The Fastest Way To Monetize My Podcast? Oct 09, 2014

Mike is getting his podcast up and running and wants to know how to monetize it as quickly as possible. Before I answer that question, I also suggest some other ways to make money quickly. I recommend selling services to make money quickly. You can post your skills on Craigslist (http://craigslist.org), TaskRabbit (https://www.taskrabbit.com/), the Problogger Job Board (http://jobs.problogger.net/), Elance (http://elance.com) and oDesk (http://odesk.com/).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Do You Prefer, Ebooks or Training Courses? Oct 08, 2014

Craig wonders which I prefer: ebooks or training courses. Craig’s site is http://usabilityhour.com/. Do you have a question about creating an information product? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Create Scarcity For My Info Product? Oct 07, 2014

Today’s question comes from Brad, who wants to know how to create a sense of urgency for his first sale. Brad’s site is http://lowcarbrunning.com/. Do you have a question about selling information products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Does Keyword Research Increase Website Authority? Oct 06, 2014

Dean has a question about my keyword research webinar—what did writing so many blog posts do for my site’s authority? Check out Google’s Keyword Planner at https://adwords.google.com/KeywordPlanner. Long Tail Pro is one of my favorite keyword search tools; find it at http://askpat.com/longtailpro. The SPI post I reference from Brian Dean is http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/backlinking-strategy-2014-beyond/. Brian’s site is http://backlinko.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Set Up A Landing Page? Oct 03, 2014

Today’s caller wants to know about how to setup a landing page. To set up a landing page, I recommend LeadPages: http://www.askpat.com/leadpages. I mention one of my landing pages, eBooks the Smart Way: http://ebooksthesmartway.com. Do you have a question about landing pages? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Use The Recording Of A Live Show To Build My Audience? Oct 02, 2014

Kelly has an hour-long show and is wondering if it is worth breaking up the show into smaller chunks. Kelly’s site is http://www.jurinspired.com/. The tool I mention is TubeTrackr: http://tubetrackr.com/. Do you have a question about maximizing your video views? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make My Website More Visual? Oct 01, 2014

Spencer wants to make his website visual—what can he do to enhance the visual experience for his users? Spencer’s site is http://sanctifiedmarriage.com/. I recommend finding a good theme from a marketplace like WooThemes (http://www.woothemes.com/) or Themeforest (http://themeforest.com/). The sites Spencer mentioned are Canva (http://canva.com/) and PicMonkey (http://www.picmonkey.com/). The stock photo sites I mention are Dollar Photo Club (http://www.dollarphotoclub.com/) and Deposit Photos (http://depositphotos.com/). Finally, I also mentioned getting a great deal from Deposit Photos on AppSumo (http://www.appsumo.com/) and finding good design tips on SlideShare (http://www.slideshare.net/). Do you have a question about the way your site should look? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Know When My Audience Is Ready To Buy A Product From Me? Sep 30, 2014

Hamza has a popular website and is trying to figure out the ideal timing for releasing a product on his site, which is http://www.barcabyfans.com/. Do you have a question about selling a product? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Learn about building niche sites at Niche Site Duel: http://www.nichesiteduel.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Help My Site Grow? Sep 29, 2014

Today’s question comes from Tom who wants to grow his audience faster. He has a lot of good strategies but is looking for more. Tom’s site is http://howtowrangler.com/. Do you have a question about promoting your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should My About Page Be Written In The First Or Third Person? Sep 26, 2014

George is writing his about page, and he’s wondering if he should write it in the first or third person. George’s site is http://georgeniebling.info/. Also be sure to listen to AP 0001 on how to build an about page: http://www.askpat.com/ Do you have a question about the content for your personal website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Determine If There's A Market For My Niche Topic? Sep 25, 2014

Thomas is an expert in mosquito control—but is it too specific of a niche for blogging and podcasting? Do you have a question about determining your market? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Have To Issue A 1099 - MISC For An Overseas Virtual Assistant? Sep 24, 2014

Pete wants to know how taxes work for overseas virtual assistants. Pete’s site is http://www.elfboxes.com/. I asked my accountant Dave http://www.profitwiseaccounting.com/ to help with this question. You can also see a blog post Dave wrote about this topic here: askpat.com/overseas. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Paid Services Do I Need When I'm Getting Started With My Niche Site? Sep 23, 2014

Austin is getting started with a niche site and wants to know which services he needs to pay for when he’s getting started. In today’s episode I mention Bluehost for website hosting: http://askpat.com/bluehost. I also recommend Dropbox for file sharing: http://www.dropbox.com. For stock images, Dollar Photo Club is very affordable: http://dollarphotoclub.com. For podcasting, I recommend SoundCloud or Libsyn for your file hosting: http://www.soundcloud.com/ and http://www.libsyn.com/. For video hosting, my favorite site is Wistia: http://wistia.com/. Finally, to create easy sales pages and email subscription boxes, I recommend LeadPages: http://askpat.com/leadpages Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Make An Audio Guide For My Products? Sep 22, 2014

Cy is interested in creating an audio guide and wants to know how to go about it. In this episode, I mention selling through E-Junkie: http://www.e-junkie.com/?r=36952 and Gumroad: http://gumroad.com/. I found help recording on Elance: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/elance. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Manage Lots Of Different Affiliate Programs? Sep 19, 2014

Jay has hundreds of affiliate programs to manage and wants to know if there is a good tool for managing the bookkeeping process. I love the Chrome extension Speed Dial 2: https://speeddial2.com/. I also use 1Password: https://agilebits.com/onepassword. LastPass also manages passwords: https://lastpass.com/. Do you have any suggestions for good tools? Tweet us with #AskPat174. Do you have a question about affiliate income? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. For basic information on how to get started with online business, check out my free resources at http://www.askpat.com/start. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Going To My First Conference. How Can I Make The Most Of It? Sep 18, 2014

Denny will be attending his first conference. As an introvert, he would like some tips for navigating the conference. The book I mention is “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. Do you have a question about attending events? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Know When I Need A New Web Host? Sep 17, 2014

Today’s question comes from Kristin, who wants to know what I mean when I say I’ve “outgrown” my web host. At what point does someone need a more specialized web host? Kristin’s site is http://www.willtravelforveganfood.com/. When you’re getting started with your website, I recommend BlueHost: http://www.askpat.com/bluehost. Do you have a question about setting up your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Servint is https://www.servint.net/. The dedicated hosting company that I use is Linode: https://www.linode.com/. Do you have a question about managing your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Find me at http://www.facebook.com/SmartPassiveIncome and http://www.twitter.com/PatFlynn See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which SEO Strategies Are Timeless? Sep 16, 2014

Barney has a question about search engine optimization (SEO). Advice in this category gets old quickly—which strategies are timeless? Do you have a question about SEO? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Happens When You Have An Inactive Domain? Sep 15, 2014

Michael has a question about domain names: What happens when you have an inactive domain? I suggest using LeadPages: http://www.askpat.com/leadpages. Do you have a question about managing domains? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Frequently Do I Need To Post To My Blog? Sep 12, 2014

Today’s question comes from Amy, who has a blog with a topic that is evergreen. How often does she need to post to the blog if the content never gets stale? Amy’s site is http://www.themomretirementplan.com/. Do you have a question about your content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Stay Focused When I Get Distracted? Sep 11, 2014

Stuart asks about something I know we all experience: he’s on a roll, being productive, and then something pulls his attention away. How can he get his focus back? Do you have a question about cultivating a work mindset? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Leave a review for the show on iTunes: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/review-askpat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Writing A Book. Where Do I Start? Sep 10, 2014

0167 Carrie is ready to write a book but is feeling overwhelmed by the process. Where should she start? http://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/ In this episode I mention the following resources: - My book, eBooks the Smart Way: http://ebooksthesmartway.com/ - The mind-mapping tool MindMeister: http://www.mindmeister.com/ - The writing tool Scrivener: http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php - The books “The One Thing” by Jay Papasan and Gary Keller, as well as “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott - SPI episodes 79 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/book-marketing-time-travel/), 42 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/kindle-publishing-tips/), and 124 (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/author-empire-steve-scott/) Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Technical Skills Should I Learn? Sep 09, 2014

AP0166 Today’s question comes from Fred, who wants to know which technical skills are worth learning. In this episode I mention WPCurve: http://askpat.com/wpcurve. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Find Sponsors For A Podcast? Sep 08, 2014

Today’s question comes from James, who is about to start a podcast and wants to know how to find sponsors for a podcast. If you’re planning to start a podcast, go to my completely free tutorial: http://PodcastingTutorial.com. I also mention Pretty Link: https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/. To make your suggestions, send a tweet at #AskPat165. Do you have a question about monetizing your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Skip A Website And Just Use My Facebook Page For Affiliate Income? Sep 05, 2014

Today’s question comes from Kevin, who asks if he can forgo his website and rely on Facebook for his affiliate income. You can bet I have opinions! Kevin’s site is http://soccerpracticevideos.com/. In this episode, I talk about my buddy, Chris Ducker: http://www.chrisducker.com/; Gary Vaynerchuck: http://garyvaynerchuk.com/; and Tim Ferriss: http://fourhourworkweek.com/podcast/. Do you have a question about Facebook? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Have Keywords In My Domain Name? Sep 04, 2014

Isaac has an existing website, but he’s considering switching to a domain name that’s more keyword-rich. Should he switch to a domain name with keywords in it? How hard would it be to switch his domain name? The tool I discuss is SEMRush: http://www.semrush.com/. Do you have a question about using keywords? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Long Should I Make My Podcast Episodes? Sep 03, 2014

Today’s question comes from Brian. He’s starting a new podcast and wants to know my thoughts about the ideal show length. Do you have a question about your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Write Content For A Niche Site? Sep 02, 2014

Today's question comes from Patrick, who asks how to write content for a niche site. I share my experiences writing when I was new to an industry. Do you have a question about writing for your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Do I Do When I'm Not Getting Traffic? Sep 01, 2014

Christian has been building a website, regularly posting great content, but the traffic has not grown. What should he do differently? Christian's website is http://daddylibrium.com/. In this episode, I mention http://www.destinationqueensland.com/ and http://www.problogger.net/. Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Start An Online Business To Teach People To Start Online Businesses? Aug 29, 2014

Ryan is considering starting an online business to teach people how to start businesses, and he's asking for my opinion. In this episode I mention Derek Halpern's http://socialtriggers.com/, Yaro Starak's http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/, and Glen Allsop's http://www.viperchill.com/. Do you have a question about starting a business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Reinvest Into Your Business? Aug 28, 2014

Today's question comes from Gavin, who asks about how I reinvest back into my business. Gavin's site is: http://disneydose.com/. Do you have a question about how to make your business stronger? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Be Successful With Audio And Video But Not Much Writing? Aug 27, 2014

Don has trouble keeping up with writing for his site. He asks if a blog that is focused on audio and video can be successful. Don's site is http://3rhinomedia.com/. In my answer, I mention http://www.internetbusinessmastery.com/, http://entrepreneuronfire.com/, and https://www.youtube.com/user/sxephil. Do you have a question about the content strategy for your site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Start Two Businesses At Once? Aug 26, 2014

Carly has two business ideas that are very different. Should she tackle them both or just focus on one? The book I recommend is The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. Do you have a question about starting your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Lynda.com. Try out all of Lynda.com's courses for free for seven days. Go http://lynda.com/AskPat to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Blog For An Industry I'm Not In? Aug 25, 2014

Today's question comes from Chris, a composer who wants to blog for game developers. How does he get started when he doesn't have expertise in gaming? Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Differentiate Myself In An Already Crowded Niche? Aug 22, 2014

Skip is planning to start a podcast in a crowded niche. How can he differentiate himself? I mention these podcasts in my answer: http://www.entrepreneuronfire.com/, http://mixergy.com/interviews/, and http://podcast.leadpages.net/. Do you have a question about starting a podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Should I Create A Getting Started Page? Aug 21, 2014

Heidi has a website and she is wondering at what point she should create a "Getting Started" page for new visitors. Heidi's site is http://www.tonsofthanks.com/. Do you have a question about the pages on your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Use Internal Or External Links To My Etsy Shop? Aug 20, 2014

Kim has an Etsy shop and asks about the best way to optimize her site for SEO. Should she use internal links or should she link out to her shop? Kim's site is http://trashycrafter.com/. Do you have a question about linking to an external sales site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Website Loads Slowly. How Can I Speed It Up? Aug 19, 2014

Pete's website loads slowly. How can he speed it up? Pete's site is http://www.elfboxes.com/. I recommend a bunch of resources in this episode. Bluehost is a great option for a shared server: http://askpat.com/bluehost. Resize large pictures with http://picresize.com/. Check your load times with http://gtmetrix.com/, http://yslow.org/, and http://whichloadsfaster.com/. Two WordPress plugins that can help are W3 Total Cache (https://wordpress.org/plugins/w3-total-cache/) and W3 Super Cache (https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-super-cache/). Finally, the CDN I recommend is http://www.maxcdn.com/. Do you have a question about your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Question From Jared And Dan From Podcast Movement Aug 18, 2014

Today's question comes from Jared and Dan from Podcast Movement. You can find Podcast Movement at http://podcastmovement.com/. Do you have a question you'd like me to answer? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Is Your Bluehost Affiliate Income So High? Aug 15, 2014

Cy noticed that my Bluehost affiliate income is really high, and was wondering why. Is my volume really high, or am I doing something differently? Check out my resources page—you need one too! www.smartpassiveincome.com/resources/ Do you have a question about affiliate income? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Respond When A Marketer Has Violated Your Trust? Aug 14, 2014

David had an experience where a marketer said one thing and did another. While the information the marketer offered was good, how can he trust anything that they say if they were dishonest? I mention my friend John Lee Dumas from http://www.entrepreneuronfire.com/ because I know he understands that integrity is important. Do you have a question about ethics? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Flippa. Flippa is the #1 marketplace for buying and selling websites. Go to http://www.flippa.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Tell The Difference Between Distractions And Actual Concerns? Aug 13, 2014

Jessica has a great idea, but has let fear hold her back. How can she tell the difference between distractions and real business concerns? I highly recommend reading two books, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday. Do you have a question about overcoming fears with your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Do Your Own Social Media Interactions? Aug 12, 2014

Jo asks about my social media strategy, and if it's really me managing all of my social media accounts. Jo's site is http://dexterousdiva.co.uk/. Do you have a question about time management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Much Information Does An Authority Site Need? Aug 11, 2014

Chris has a lot of knowledge in a particular topic, and is ready to build an authority site—but how much information should he share immediately? In this episode, I talk about my sites http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/, http://www.nichesiteduel.com/, and http://foodtruckr.com/. Do you have a question about building an authority site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Flippa. Flippa is the #1 marketplace for buying and selling websites. Go to http://www.flippa.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Bring Focus To My Blog? Aug 08, 2014

Zane has a website with a good traffic and engaged readers, but he's worried that his lack of focus is holding him back. Zane's site is http://lifebyexperimentation.com/. Do you have a question about your blog's direction? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Do You Do When An Investor Has Different Expectations? Aug 07, 2014

AJ has an interesting situation, and I'd like us all to offer some advice. An investor from a single business of AJ's has become a mentor, and now feels entitled to a cut of all AJ's businesses. Tweet your advice for AJ with the #AskPat143. I look forward to reading your advice! Do you have a question about working with investors and mentors? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is Your Opinion Of "Positive Thinking" Techniques? Aug 06, 2014

Today's question comes from Michael, who wants to know my opinion of the book "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne and "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. Michael's site is http://mcostanzo4.wordpress.com/. Do you have a question about an inspirational or business book you've read? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Long Should I Wait For A Landing Page To See If It Converts Before Making Changes? Aug 05, 2014

Jeff has a great question about landing pages: how long should he wait to see if it converts before making changes? Jeff's site is http://www.salonbusinesspodcast.com/. Do you have a question about landing pages? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Build My Own Website Or Hire A Professional? Aug 04, 2014

Helen needs a website, but she's not technically savvy, and she wonders if she should try to build it herself or if she should hire a developer to do it for her. Do you have a question about building your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do We Improve Our iTunes Search Rankings? Aug 01, 2014

Mary has a very specific podcast, and she's having trouble ranking well in iTunes against her competitors. I have some advice for improving those rankings. Mary's site is http://www.thelivingreminders.com/. I mention my friend Cliff Ravenscraft, better known as http://podcastanswerman.com/. Do you have a question about podcast promotion? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Flippa. Flippa is the #1 marketplace for buying and selling websites. Go to http://www.flippa.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Balance Your Time Between Creating And Marketing? Jul 31, 2014

Ryan asks about how he should balance his time between writing blog posts and marketing blog posts. The site I talk about today is Derek Halpern's Social Triggers: http://socialtriggers.com/, specifically the "Design is king" post: http://socialtriggers.com/content-is-king-myth/. Also, check out Help a Reporter Out: http://www.helpareporter.com/. Do you have a question about marketing your content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Could Changing My WordPress Theme Affect My Traffic? Jul 30, 2014

Alex is considering changing his WordPress theme, and he wonders what affect it could have on his traffic. Also, he asks about the best structure for a website. Do you have a question about making changes to your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Flippa. Flippa is the #1 marketplace for buying and selling websites. Go to http://www.flippa.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Have My Podcasts Transcribed To Create Content On My Site? Jul 29, 2014

Today's question comes from Keith, who has a successful podcast and no time to blog. Should he invest in having his podcast transcribed? Keith's site is http://www.pdrcollege.com/. Do you have a question about podcast strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Flippa. Flippa is the #1 marketplace for buying and selling websites. Go to http://www.flippa.com/pat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If You Had To Start Again From Scratch, What Would Your First 90 Days Look Like? Jul 28, 2014

Today's question comes from Stephen, who wants to know, knowing what I do now, what I would in my first 90 days of business. Stephen's site is http://freeandrichin90days.com/. Other resources mention in this episode include Smart Passive Income Podcast episodes 046 and 085 with Dane Maxwell: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/no-ideas-no-expertise-no-money-business/ http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-finally-take-action/ You can find Dane at The Foundation: http://thefoundation.com/ And Katie Davis's site is http://katiedavis.com/. Do you have a question about starting a business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Determine Names For Your Products And Or Websites? Jul 25, 2014

Sami needs to name a product, and wonders how to go about choosing a great name. Do you have a question about your products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If You Only Had 30 Minutes Each Day, What Work Would You Do On Your Blog Or Podcast? Jul 24, 2014

Today's question comes from John, who wonders how I'd spend my time if I only had 30 minutes each day to work on my blog and podcast. John's site is http://thewiredhomeschool.com/. Do you have a question about time management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm Moving My Website. How Do I Convince My Audience To Follow? Jul 23, 2014

Sarah is planning to move her website, and she wants to know how to get her current site subscribers to move with her to the new site. Sarah's site is http://thefreelancenaturopath.com/. Do you have a question about moving a website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Go to http://www.askpat.com/app to download my app, which makes listening to AskPat easy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Effectively Backlink Without Incurring Penalties From Google? Jul 22, 2014

Joel is taking a college course on internet marketing, and he is skeptical about some information he received about interlinking from his professor. Do you have a question about link strategies? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Financially Speaking, When Is The Best Time To Hire Additional Help? Jul 21, 2014

Today's question comes from Josh, who asks when to know the best time to hired additional help. Do you have a question about building your team? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Should Come First An EBook Or A Blog? Jul 18, 2014

Brian is writing an ebook and starting a blog. Which should he do first? Do you have a question about ebook strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Worth Starting An Email List, Even Though I Don't Have Many Visitors? Jul 17, 2014

Today's question comes from Claudio, who has a small audience and wants to know if it's worth sending out emails when his list is so small. Claudio's site is http://www.summerinbrazil.net/. Do you have a question about email lists? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Market A Digital Product That Already Exists? Jul 16, 2014

Today's question comes from Ethan, who asks about how to market existing digital products. Ethan's site is http://www.comparedcare.com/. Do you have a question about marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Often Should I Reshare My Content On Social Media? Jul 15, 2014

Matthias asks about how often he should reshare his blog content on social media. Where is the line between not enough sharing and too much? Matthias's site is http://howtobecomearockstarphotographer.com/ Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Repurpose My Podcast Content For YouTube (Or Should I)? Jul 14, 2014

Kristin is planning to start a podcast, and she asks about content repurposing for YouTube. Should she put a video of her podcast up on YouTube? Kristin's site is http://wtfveganfood.com/. Do you have a question about content repurposing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Would You Recommend Taking A Business Class? Jul 11, 2014

James has been building his business, and he asks if I have ever taken any business classes that have been helpful in growing my business. Do you have a question about building your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Host My Course On My Website Or On A Course Site Like Udemy? Jul 10, 2014

Today's question comes from Rodney, who is ready to start creating courses. He asks whether it's best to host his courses on his own website, or to use a course site like Udemy. Do you have a question about selling your courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Start Selling Ads For My Site? Jul 09, 2014

Tom is getting traffic to his site and would like to sell advertising. He asks me how to get started, both with sales and with plugins. Tom's site is http://howtobecomeanappraiser.com/. Do you have a question about advertising? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Handle Imposter Syndrome? Jul 08, 2014

Daniela asks if I've ever felt like an imposter, and how I've handled those feelings. I certainly have, and share my advice. Daniela's site is http://www.101conversations.com/. Do you have a question about the mindset of an entrepreneur? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Update An Old High Traffic Post? Jul 07, 2014

Eric has an old post that brings in a huge portion of his search traffic, but it doesn't convert well. How can he update the post without breaking the search traffic? Eric's site is http://www.ericdingler.com/. Do you have a question about search traffic and conversion? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should An Inexperienced Leader Start A Mastermind? Jul 04, 2014

Nathaniel asks whether or not it's a good idea for a novice to lead a mastermind. Wouldn't it be better to join an existing group? Nathaniel's site is http://www.the8020drummer.com/. Do you have a question about masterminds? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Join Social Media If My Content Is Boring Or Sensitive? Jul 03, 2014

Jon blogs about Excel, and he asks if it's worth joining social media to talk about such a technical topic. He asks a great question that applies to blogging about dry and/or sensitive topics. Jon's site is http://www.excelcampus.com/. Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Do You Get All Of Your Content? Jul 02, 2014

Manny asks a question that I hear often: "Where do you get all your content?" Do you have a question about content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, 99Designs. Go to http://www.99designs.com/pat to get a Power Pack upgrade for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Rely On Keyword Tools or Do I Trust My Instinct? Jul 01, 2014

Carole (also known as Cassel) has an idea for a new website. Should she trust the keyword tools that say it has a low search volume, or should she trust her clients, who say they need the information? Do you have a question about keyword tools? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Have Any Beliefs Around Personal Finance That Have Changed with Success? Jun 30, 2014

Matt wants to know how my habits and beliefs regarding personal finance have changed as my business has become successful. Do you have a question about finance and mindset? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can I Add A Paywall Halfway Through My Autoresponder Series? Jun 27, 2014

Craig asks a great question about monetizing autoresponder emails. (I love autoresponder emails!) Do you have a question about autoresponder emails? Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Swiftly, who will complete small graphic design tasks in less than an hour for $19. Go to http://www.swiftly.com/ask. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Keep From Missing Out On Monetization Opportunities? Jun 26, 2014

Chris is worried about missing out on monetization opportunities. I give him my advice. Chris's site is http://imafighter.net/. Do you have a question about monetization for your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Stamps.com. Go to http://www.stamps.com/. Click on the microphone on the top of the homepage, and enter “PAT.” You’ll get a special $110 bonus offer, which includes a $55 USB Digital Scale, and $55 Free Postage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Give My EBook Away Or Should I Sell It? Jun 25, 2014

Today's question comes from Thomas, who has written an ebook. He wants to know if he should give it away, or if he should sell it. Thomas's site is http://derinterviewer.com/. Do you have a question about your ebook strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Swiftly, who will complete small graphic design tasks in less than an hour for $19. Go to www.swiftly.com/ask. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's The Best Way To Create A Multi Language Website? What About SEO? Jun 24, 2014

Laura has a website that serves both English and Spanish speakers, and she asks a few questions about site strategy. Should she record podcasts in both languages? How does having two languages on one site impact SEO? Laura's site is http://www.latinizadigital.com/. Do you have a question about running a site or podcast in multiple languages? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I've Been Writing A Personal Blog Without A Lot Of Focus. Now I Want To Start A Podcast. Jun 23, 2014

Dylan has been writing a personal blog for some time and has some financial success. Now he's ready to start a podcast, but he has some questions about what the podcast should sound like. Dylan's site is http://dylanvslife.com/. Do you have a question about starting a podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do You Purchase Additional Domains When You Could Just Use A Pretty Link? Jun 20, 2014

Erich wants to know why I purchase additional domains for products that redirect to my main site, when I could just use a Pretty Link. Erich's site is http://harmonyinsights.com/. Do you have a question about domain management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Swiftly, who will complete small graphic design tasks in less than an hour for $19. Go to http://www.swiftly.com/ask. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Want To Start Two Separate Podcasts. Do I Need Two Separate Webpages For Them? Jun 19, 2014

Today's question comes from Paul, who wants to start two podcasts. He wonders if he needs two separate websites, or if he can set his feeds up on the same website. Do you have a question about setting up your podcast? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. If you want to start your own podcast, my tutorial can help you get started. Go to http://www.podcastingtutorial.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Were Three Things That Helped To Build Your Audience When You First Got Started? Jun 18, 2014

JR is trying to grow his podcast audience and asks what were the top three things I did to help grow my audience. If you have a question about growing your audience, record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Swiftly, who will complete small graphic design tasks in less than an hour for $19. Go to http://www.swiftly.com/ask. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do I Ask People to Subscribe to an Email List or Should I Just Allow Them to Use RSS? Jun 17, 2014

Today's question comes from Jeff, who is wondering whether he should ask his audience to sign up to an email list or to use RSS to sign up. Do you have a question about communicating with your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out http://www.smartpodcastplayer.com/ to sign up for announcements about our upcoming public launch. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Should I Offer Ads On My Site, and How Do I Determine Pricing Strategy? Jun 16, 2014

Today's question comes from Gaby, who wants to know about adding advertising to her site. How much should she charge? When should she start with advertising? If you have a question about monetization, record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Stamps.com. Go to http://www.stamps.com/. Click on the microphone on the top of the homepage, and enter “PAT.” You’ll get a special $110 bonus offer, which includes a $55 USB Digital Scale, and $55 Free Postage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Generate Leads For Your Business Through Affiliate Marketing? Jun 14, 2014

On today's show, Tashawna asks how to generate leads through affiliate marketing. I answer the question from two different perspectives. Tashawna's site is http://www.tashawnanicole.com/. Do you have a question about affiliate marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Success Shirt. Go to http://www.successshirt.com/ to pick up your own AskPat t-shirt. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Let My Podcast Fizzle Out. How Do I Bring It Back? Jun 12, 2014

Bobby had a podcast but he let it fizzle out. He's ready to start it up again, and asks about the best strategy to do that. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today is launch day for the beta release of my Smart Podcast Player! Go to http://www.smartpodcastplayer.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Don't Have A Big Budget, How Do I Market My Website Outside Of Social Media? Jun 11, 2014

John is starting his video blog and he asks how he can market the site. Social media is a given, what are my other suggestions? There's a catch—he doesn't have a big budget. John's site is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzXx9l1X3tcx24fz5PGLK6w. Do you have a question about building your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Stamps.com. Go to http://www.stamps.com/. Click on the microphone on the top of the homepage, and enter “PAT.” You’ll get a special $110 bonus offer, which includes a $55 USB Digital Scale, and $55 Free Postage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Screen Recording: What's The Best Software (and More Tips From Pat)? Jun 10, 2014

Oscar wants to know which screen recording software I prefer. It's a tough question, because I love making screencast videos. Do you have a question about which tools and technology to use for growing your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 100th Episode Of AskPat! A Valuable Lesson From Pat Jun 09, 2014

It's the 100th episode of AskPat! I share one of the most important lessons I've learned in business. Thank you so much for helping make this show special! I love hearing your questions, so go to http://www.askpat.com to record one! Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are The Rules About Using Music In A Podcast Intro? Jun 06, 2014

Today's question comes from Aaron, who is starting a podcast and has questions about the rules regarding using music for theme songs. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. For theme song music, I recommend Music Radio Creative. My affiliate link is http://askpat.com/mrc/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Better To Sell My Products Through My Site Or Through Amazon? Jun 05, 2014

Today's question comes from Greg, who wonders if it's better to sell products through his own site, rather than on Amazon. Do you have a question about selling on your site? Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. If you're just getting started in online business, go to http://www.askpat.com/start/ for more advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should I Use Facebook Ads To Grow My Following For Social Proof? Jun 04, 2014

Today's question comes from Tony, who asks if Facebook ads are a good way to build a following and increase social proof. Tony's site is http://www.thequarterlyreporter.com/. If you have a question about building your audience, record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Stamps.com. Go to http://www.stamps.com/. Click on the microphone on the top of the homepage, and enter “PAT.” You’ll get a special $110 bonus offer, which includes a $55 USB Digital Scale, and $55 Free Postage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Determine The Best Monetization Strategy For My Site? Jun 03, 2014

Josh has found a niche and now he has questions about monetization. How can he figure out the best strategy for monetizing the site? If you have a question about monetization, go to http://www.askpat.com/ to record it. For an easy way to listen to AskPat, the Smart Passive Income podcast, and to stay current on Smart Passive Income blog posts, go to http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/app/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Research App Development Ideas and Developers? Jun 02, 2014

Maaz has a great series of questions about app development. How do you make sure your idea hasn't already been built? How do you know that your developer knows what they are doing? Do you have a question about app development? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out the new Smart Passive Income app in the iTunes App Store! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Build A Website If I Have No Experience, And No Capital To Hire Out? May 31, 2014

Mikel is just starting out, and he's wondering how to survive the learning phase of building a website. He doesn't have the capital to hire a developer. Do you have a question about getting started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Success Shirt for providing the AskPat t-shirts. Go to http://www.successshirt.com/ to buy your own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do You Use Audio Instead Of Video? Which Is Better? May 30, 2014

Maurice has a great question about content strategy: why do I choose audio instead of video? Which is better? Here are my thoughts. Do you have a question about your content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Stamps.com. Go to http://www.stamps.com/. Click on the microphone on the top of the homepage, and enter “PAT.” You’ll get a special $110 bonus offer, which includes a $55 USB Digital Scale, and $55 Free Postage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get The Most Out Of My Mastermind Group? How Do I Contribute Well? May 29, 2014

Today's question comes from Roy, who wants to know how to get the most out of his mastermind group, as well as how to contribute well to his group. Do you have a question about mastermind groups? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Go to http://www.askpat.com/mastermind to learn more about mastermind groups. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Wise To Make Podcasts Out Of Blog Posts? May 28, 2014

Miriam asks a question that I've been thinking about lately: is it a good idea to turn blog posts into podcasts? Do you have a question about your podcast content strategy? Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is It Worth Creating My Own Guide When Many Already Exist? May 26, 2014

Frank asks a question that many bloggers and podcasters will encounter: his audience is asking him questions that he could answer in a guide—but a lot of similar guides and tutorials already exist. Is it worth making his own? Frank's site is http://www.socialtechzone.com/. Do you have a question about creating guides, tutorials, and ebooks? Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is The Best Day Of The Week (and Time) To Publish A Blog Post? May 23, 2014

Today's question comes from Bren, who asks about how to know the best day and time for blog post publishing. Do you have a question about your content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out the blog at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/ to get information on our upcoming SPI app release. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Doesn't My Audience Respond to My Guest Posts, Even When the Content Is Great? May 22, 2014

Greg has an interesting problem. His audience doesn't seem to like his guest posts, even when the content is better or more detailed than he is able to produce on his own. How should he respond to that? Do you have a question about how your audience interacts with your content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. A big thanks to Success Shirt for providing the AskPat t-shirts. You can get your own at http://successshirt.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Release Every Podcast That You Record? May 21, 2014

Hayden has a great question about podcasting: do I release every episode that I record? Do I ever release episodes that don't fit my audience? Hayden's site is http://www.ptprophet.com/. If you have a question about the content strategy for your podcast, record it at http://www.askpat.com/. For help in starting your own podcast, go to http://www.podcastingtutorial.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Worry That By Sharing Your Niche Information, People Will Steal Your Ideas? May 20, 2014

Today I have an anonymous question that got me fired up—in a good way. He asks if I ever worry about people stealing my ideas. You're welcome to leave anonymous questions for me at http://askpat.com/. I've got a big announcement coming soon about the podcast player I use for the AskPat episodes. Make sure you're signed up on the Smart Passive Income newsletter so that you hear about it first. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Make Sure My Emails Don't End Up In The Promotions Tab? May 19, 2014

Ryan has a great question about email marketing: how do I keep my emails out of the Gmail Promotions tab and get them in to the Primary inbox? Ryan's site is http://musicwithryan.com/. Do you have a question about building your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, AWeber. Go to www.aweber.com/askpat to get started for only $1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Monetize My Site Without Undermining The Site's Core Purpose? May 16, 2014

Mitch has a great question about retail websites. He knows he could better monetize the site, but he wants to make sure he doesn't detract from the site's core purpose. Do you have a question about monetizing your site? Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Please take a moment to rate AskPat in iTunes. I'd love to hear your feedback. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Figure Out Who Your Audience Is, And What They Need? May 15, 2014

Today's question comes from Tim, who wants to know how to figure out who your audience is and what they need. It's a great question for anyone getting started. If you have a question about serving your audience, record it at http://www.askpat.com/. If you're just getting started with your online business, I have a resource that will help you at http://smartpassiveincome.com/start/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Tactfully Decline A Request From An Audience Member To Be On My Show? May 14, 2014

Dana asks a really great question that many podcasters struggle with: how do you tactfully decline a request from an audience who wants to be on your show? Dana's site is http://www.diaperdirt.com/. If you have a question about a sensitive challenge with your own business, record it for me at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get On Other Podcasts As A Guest? Do You Use Keywords In Your Podcast Titles? May 13, 2014

Jake asks a two-part question about podcasting: how do you get booked as a guest on other people's shows? Do I use keywords in my podcast titles? They are great questions and you can see Jake's site here: http://operationselfreset.com/. If you have a question about extending the reach of your podcast, record that question at http://www.askpat.com/. If you are looking to start your own podcast, check out my how-to series at http://podcastingtutorial.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Find All Of The Information For Your Niche Sites, Like Security Guard Training? May 12, 2014

Heath has a great question about the content on my niche site, Security Guard Training. I'm not a security guard, so how did I go about getting the information for my site? Heath's site is http://www.redbuffalostudios.com/. Do you have a question about creating content for your website? Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is There A Way To Leverage My YouTube Subscribers Beyond Just Making More Videos? May 09, 2014

CJ has a thriving YouTube channel, http://www.diygopro.com/, and wonders how to make the most of his subscribers on YouTube. Do you have a question about your online audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. I urge you to check out http://PurpeeTheDragon.com, a fundraising campaign to help out kids with cancer. I'm supporting it—if their message resonates with you, I hope you'll consider support the campaign as well. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Segment Your Various Email Lists? May 08, 2014

Today's question comes from Andrea, who wonders how to get started with segmenting her email lists. I share my strategy. Do you have a question about managing your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, AWeber. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat to get started for only $1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Reach Out To Potential Mentors? May 07, 2014

Today's question comes from Zoheb, who wants to know how to reach out to potential mentors for support. Do you have a question about strategies for your own personal development? Record them at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor Success Shirt. To get your own AskPat t-shirt, go to http://www.successshirt.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Email Lists: Which Address You Should Use If You Don't Want To Share Your Home Address? May 06, 2014

Today's question comes from Eric, who wonders which address he should use at the bottom of his email newsletter. What if he doesn't want to share his home mailing address? Do you have a question about setting up your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, AWeber. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat to get started for only $1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Forums: Are They Worth The Time? May 05, 2014

Today's question comes from Josh, who wants to add a forum to his site, but worries that he'll bite off more than he can chew. Do you have a question about getting to connect with your audience? Record that question at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is There Any Hope Of Getting Started In An Already Crowded Niche Like Blogging? May 02, 2014

Andrew is interested in starting his own blog and online business, but asks if the market for his topic is too saturated. Do you have a question about the strategy for your new business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Personal Capital. Go to http://personalcapital.com/askpat to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Email Marketing: How Often Should You Send An Email To Your Email List? May 01, 2014

Our question today comes from Eric, who wants to know how often he should send emails to his email list. Eric's site is http://pillarsocialmedia.com/. Do you have a question about your email strategy? Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, AWeber. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat to get started for only $1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As A Beginning Blogger, Should My Social Media Engagement Be Deep Or Shallow? Apr 30, 2014

Today's question comes from Alex, who is a new blogger. He wonders if he should focus deeply on single social media channel, or if he should spread out his efforts across several channels. Alex's site is http://brainyexpat.com/. Do you have a question about your social media strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Email Marketing; Email Vs. Blog Content: How Do You Know Where To Put Content? Apr 29, 2014

Today's question comes from Troy, who wants to known about email list content strategy: what content goes where? Troy's site is http://troydelaney.com/. Do you have a question about managing your email list? Record it at http://www.askpat.com. Thanks to our sponsor, AWeber. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat to get started for only $1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Get People To Leave Comments On My Posts? Apr 28, 2014

Today's question comes from Danny, a young blogger who wonders how he can encourage more people to leave comments on his posts. Danny's site is http://www.thestudyingmusician.com/. Do you have a question about blogging? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Personal Capital. Go to http://personalcapital.com/askpat to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which WordPress Theme Is Best? Apr 25, 2014

Today's question comes from Tracey, who wonders which WordPress theme I use for http://www.greenexamacademy.com/. Do you have a question about setting up your WordPress site? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Write An Email So That My Readers Know That I'm Actually Writing Directly To Them? Apr 24, 2014

Today's question comes from Timothy, who wants to know the best practices around sending personal emails to his audience members. Timothy's site is http://masterofmemory.com/. Do you have a question about building community engagement? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is AWeber. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat to try it out for $1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Can I Incorporate Ads In A Tasteful Way? Apr 23, 2014

Today's question comes from Carlos, who wants to know how to tastefully incorporate ads into his site, which is http://www.millennialleader.org/. Do you have a question about advertising on your website? Record your question at http:/www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Submitting Articles To Directories Still A Worthwhile Practice, Recent Google Changes? Apr 22, 2014

Today's question comes from Ray, who wonders if it's still a worthwhile practice to submit articles to article directories. Do you have a question about your blog marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Vulnerable And Authentic Should You Be With Your Audience? Apr 21, 2014

Today's question comes from Clark, who wants to know how vulnerable he should be with his audience. Is there a point at which you can share too much? Clark's site is http://buckbranding.com/. Do you have a question about connecting with your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter the discount code "Pat" at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Have You Come Up With Your Ideas For Your Mobile Apps And How Have You Monetized Them? Apr 18, 2014

Today's question comes from Steve, who wants to know how I've come up with the ideas for my iPhone apps and how I have monetized them. Steve's site is http://mobileappchat.com/. Do you have a question about mobile app business strategies? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My Email List Is Too Expensive For The Return. Is It Worth Consolidating? Apr 17, 2014

Morr asks me a question I haven't gotten before: his list is growing too fast—faster than the return he's getting. Should he consolidate the list? I give my recommendations. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor for today's show, AWeber. Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Get People From Facebook Into Your Email List? Apr 16, 2014

Jason asks a great question on today's show. He has an engaged Facebook community, but how can he get them to subscribe to his email list? Jason's site is http://www.heavyhaulinfo.com/. Do you have a question about social media for your business? Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com/ and enter "Ask Pat" for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Email Marketing: Email Templates Vs. Text Only, Which Is Better? Apr 15, 2014

Today's question is from Brent, who wants to know why someone would choose to send text-only emails through an email service. Brent's site is http://edtech.tv/. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to AWeber for sponsoring the show! Go to http://www.aweber.com/askpat for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Lower Your Bounce Rate When You First Started Your Blog? Apr 14, 2014

Today's question comes from Gabriel, who wants to know how to lower his website's bounce rate. Do you have a question about building traffic to your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Personal Capital. Go to http://personalcapital.com/askpat to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Buy A Domain Someone Else Owns? Apr 11, 2014

Today's question comes from Venu, who wonders if there's a way to buy a domain that someone else owns. I've experienced this before and dealt with it in very different ways. Do you have a question about your online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to today's sponsor, ZipRecruiter. Go to https://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to post to 50 job boards with a single submission. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Are You In Multiple Masterminds? How Do You Keep Up With The Commitment? Apr 10, 2014

Today's question comes from Ted, who wonders how I keep up with all the mastermind groups I belong to—and why I belong to several in the first place. Ted's site is http://purposepodcast.com/. Do you have a question about running your small business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's episode is sponsored by FreshBooks. Go to www.GetFreshBooks.com/ and enter "Ask Pat" to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Feel About Using PLRs On Niche Sites? Apr 09, 2014

Today's question comes from Ted, who asks about using PLRs for content creation. What are they? Take a listen. Ted's site is http://specialneedshome.org/. Also mentioned: http://www.askpat.com/plr http://www.nicoleonthenet.com Do you have a question about your blog's content strategy? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's episode is sponsored by FreshBooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com/ and enter "Ask Pat" to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Do I Turn My Blog Or Niche Site Into A Business Entity? When Do I Trademark? Apr 08, 2014

Tony has a great question: When should he create a legal entity for his blog? When should he explore trademarking? I am not a lawyer, but I do answer small business questions. Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to LegalZoom for sponsoring today's show. Go to http://www.legalzoom.com/ and enter "Pat" as your discount code at checkout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With My New Podcast, Should I Use My Real Name Or Create A Fake Persona? Apr 07, 2014

Jeff has a great question if you're thinking about starting a podcast or blog as a sideline to your day job: should you use your real name or create a fake persona? Do you have a question about getting a podcast started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's episode is sponsored by Personal Capital. Get started at http://www.personalcapital.com/askpat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm New To Conferences. How Do I Determine Which One To Attend? Apr 04, 2014

Today's question comes from Mary Kathryn, who asks about conferences. How should she choose which ones will give her the most value? Do you have a question about networking or education? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's episode is sponsored by FreshBooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com/ and enter "Ask Pat" to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is The Most Important Advice For Someone New To Affiliate Marketing? Apr 03, 2014

Today's question comes from Christopher, who is just cracking into the world of affiliate marketing. He'd like to know where I would begin, if I was just getting started today. Do you have a question about affiliate programs? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Haven't Emailed My List For A Long Time. How Do I Restart? Apr 02, 2014

Dayvon asks a great question that I know a lot of people have wondered about: what do I do if I haven't emailed my list in a while? Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Determine Which Items To Hand Off To An Assistant? Apr 01, 2014

Today's question comes from P. Desmond Adams, and it is one that anyone considering hiring an assistant will have to tackle: how to figure out which tasks to hand off. Chris Ducker's new book, Virtual Freedom: http://www.askpat.com/vf/ I want to hear your small business questions! Record them at http://www.askpat.com/. P. Desmond Adams's site is http://pdesmondadams.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Split Testing Tools Do You Find Most Useful? Mar 31, 2014

Today's question comes from John Dennis from http://www.smarttimeonline.com/. John is looking for advice on split testing, something that all bloggers should do. If you have a question on blogging strategy, leave it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's episode is sponsored by FreshBooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com/ and enter "Ask Pat" to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Have A Blog Idea, Do You Have Tips For Getting Started? Mar 28, 2014

Today's question comes from Kyle, who is ready to start his blog. He has a great idea, he's looking for advice on how to get started. Do you have a question about how to start your next big project? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com/ and enter "Ask Pat" to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Stop Spam From Coming In Through Your Contact Form? Mar 27, 2014

Today I help Linda battle contact form spam! It's an icky problem, but there are solutions. Do you have a problem that makes blogging harder? Leave your question at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Monetization Isn't Working—Any Ideas? Mar 26, 2014

Today, Lauren asks about monetization strategies to try when the standard ideas (affiliate marketing, ebooks) aren't enough. Do you have a question about monetization? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Lauren's site is http://nwtripfinder.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Some Good Kindle Book Marketing Strategies? Mar 25, 2014

Today's question comes from John, who asks for some Kindle book launch advice. John's site is http://www.voicesofmarketing.com/. If you have a question about your product's launch strategy, record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. Go to http://GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Sell When Your Users Are Young And Their Parents Are The Ones That Pay? Mar 24, 2014

Today's question is from Guy, who has a website where the target audience may not be able to buy his product directly. I give some suggestions for how to reach and motivate the parents to buy his product. Guy's site is http://www.chemvideotutor.com/. Do you have a question about your product strategy? Leave your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Create A Successful And Profitable Affiliate Relationship? Mar 21, 2014

Today's question comes from John, who asks about how to create a successful affiliate relationship. Do you have a question about building a business online? Leave your question at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Tools Would You Recommend For Website Images, Especially To Add Nice Effects? Mar 20, 2014

Keith asks a great question about website images, which are so important both for the visual look of your website and for the social sharing of your site. Do you have a question about making your website more welcoming? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's The Best Way To Track Affiliate Links? Mar 19, 2014

Today's question comes from Elias, who wants to know about affiliate link tracking. It's an important question that deserves more attention than it usually gets. Do you have a question about best practices for affiliate sales? Go to http://www.askpat.com/ and record your question. You can find Elias's site at http://www.basketballismypassion.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Include Other People In Your Own Paid Product, And Are They Compensated? Mar 18, 2014

In today's episode, Andrea asks a really great question about paid online communities: if you have a guest share information for your paid product, how do you compensate them? Do you have a question about affiliate marketing or online communities? Record it at http://www.askpat.com. Today's episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. Go to http://GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Marketing Bloggers Do I Follow? Mar 17, 2014

Kim asks a great question: which marketing bloggers do I follow for advice? Do you have a question for me? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Can Startups And Beginners Use As Social Proof When They Are Just Starting Out? Mar 14, 2014

Phil asks a great question for beginning bloggers: how to you demonstrate "social proof" when you're first getting started? Do you have a question about blogging? Leave your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's episode is sponsored by Freshbooks! Go to http://GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Was It Hard To Leave Your Old Job And Move Into Your Online Career? Mar 13, 2014

Ben asks a great question about my career switch from architecture to online entrepreneurship. Was it hard to leave my old career behind? Do you have a question about making a career change? Leave your question at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Get Big Names To Agree To Be On Your Show? Mar 12, 2014

Austin asks a great question about how to book big-name guests. While the answer is simple, I offer a bit of nuance to tip the odds in your favor. Do you have a podcasting question? Hop on over to http://www.askpat.com/ and ask me! Austin's site is http://yoprowealth.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Know When To Go Full-Time With Your Side Business? Mar 11, 2014

Today's question is a big one. Ben asks about when to make the leap from side business to going full-time. If you have a question about running a small business, ask it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. Go to http://GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Starting Out, How Broad Or Specific Should Your Niche Be? Mar 10, 2014

Kevin asks an important question for bloggers, podcasters, and anyone who is just starting to build an audience: how specific should you be? Do you want to focus on a narrow niche, or is it better to be broad? If you have a question about building an audience for your blog or podcast, record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Many Domains And Hosting Accounts Do You Need? Mar 07, 2014

Today's question is about managing multiple websites at once. Janelle asks if she needs separate hosting for each of her sites, or if she can host all of them on the same account. Do you have a blogging question? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Know When It's Time To Invest In Virtual Help? Mar 06, 2014

Today's question comes from Chuck, who asks how a business owner can know that it's time to invest in outside help. Do you have a small business question? Leave it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If You Had To Start Your Online Business Over Again, What Changes Would You Make? Mar 05, 2014

Today's question comes from Steve, who is asking a big question: if I could do it all over again, what would I do differently? Well, Steve, a few things. Do you have big question you want answered? Go to http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Prepare And Organize Your (Epic) Blog Posts? Mar 04, 2014

Today's question comes from Nick, who invents a fun word! He also asks about my strategy for preparing blog posts. How to I keep track of all that content? Do you have a question about blogging? Ask me at http://www.askpat.com/. Nicky's site is http://www.nickykay.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are Your Writing Habits And What Tools Do You Use? Mar 03, 2014

Today's question comes from Chris, who wants to know what my writing habits are. How do I find time to write long-form content? What tools do I use? I want your questions! Record a question for me at http://www.askpat.com/. Chris's site is http://www.memberstartup.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Build a Brand that Relies on User-Generated Content? Feb 28, 2014

Today's question about content strategy is a little bit different. Joe is looking for advice on building a brand around user-generated content. How can you build a brand that relies so heavily on your audience? Do you have a question about online business strategy? Record your question at http://www.askpat.com/. Find Joe on Twitter at https://twitter.com/askadirtbag. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Have Any Business Advice For A 10 Year Old? Feb 27, 2014

Today's question is so fantastic, because it is from Colin who is 10 years old. Colin wants to start a business, and he's looking for advice. We take questions from everybody, not just 10-year-olds! Go to http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Continue To Run Your Brand While You're On Travel? Feb 26, 2014

Today's question is from Andrew, who asks about my tips for staying connected while traveling. Leave your question for the show at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do You Give Stuff Away For Free When Other People Charge? Feb 25, 2014

Today's question comes from Jerry, who wonders about free vs. paid content strategies for blogs. Why give away information for free? Why ask someone to pay? I bet you have a question about business strategy! Leave it at http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Are "Profitable Keywords?" How Do You Find Them And What Do You Do With Them? Feb 24, 2014

Today's question comes from Yanne, and he asks about a term that I've used often: "profitable keywords." What are profitable keywords, how do you find them, and what do you do with them? Do you have a burning question about keywords, online entrepreneurship, or blogging strategy? Leave me a question at http://www.askpat.com. Yanne's site is http://fightingabroad.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Handle Negative Reviews? Feb 21, 2014

Today's question is from John, who asks about handling negative reviews? What good can you take from a bad review? Should you respond to a bad review? If you have a question, go to http://www.askpat.com/. John's website is http://castmembersecrets.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Did You Initially Build The SPI Audience? Where Did You Start? Feb 20, 2014

Today's question comes from Meg, who wants to know how I built my audience for Smart Passive Income. Do you have a question that you need answered? Go to http://www.askpat.com/. Meg's site is http://audiencewatch.me/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Which Pen And Tablet Do You Use For Your Electronic Whiteboard Videos? Feb 19, 2014

Today we have a fun tools-based question from Jenn, who wants to know which pen and tablet I'd recommend for my electronic whiteboard videos. Do you have a question? I bet you do! Leave it at http://www.askpat.com/. Whiteboard Video: http://www.askpat.com/whiteboard Jenn's site is http://www.communicationdiva.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Do You Need To Spend Money On To Build A Successful Online Business? Feb 18, 2014

Our question today comes from Mike, who would like to know what is on my checklist for online business expenses. If you have a questions for the show, go to http://www.askpat.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Important Is A Getting Started Page For Your Website Or Blog? How Do You Create One? Feb 17, 2014

Today our question comes from Idris, who wonders if every blog needs a "Getting Started" page. I think so, and here's why. If you ask a question that gets answered on the show, you get a t-shirt! That should be reason enough to head over to http://www.askpat.com/ to leave a question! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Create Expert Content When You're Not An Expert? Feb 14, 2014

Today's question is one that I suspect a lot of new bloggers have struggled with. Mike asks about the best way to create content for a blog when you're not an expert. I bet you have a great question you could ask! Go to http://www.askpat.com/ Mike's new website will be at http://www.smartdogowner.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Prepare For An Individual Podcast Episode And Interviews? Feb 13, 2014

Today's question comes from Zac Johnson: How do you prepare for a podcast episode? What kind of research should you do before interviewing a guest? If you have a question, leave it at http://www.askpat.com. Zac's site is http://zacjohnson.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How To Shut Up That Voice In Your Head That Tells You Are Not Good Enough Feb 12, 2014

Today's question comes from Liz, who asks for strategies on how to quite that destructive, negative voice that tells us we're not good enough. Do you have a question? Leave it at http://www.askpat.com. Liz's site is http://www.liveyourlifenowshow.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Be Everywhere — Yes! But Where Do You Start? Feb 11, 2014

Today's question comes from Crystal, who asks about my "Be Everywhere" strategy. It's great advice, but how do you actually get started? I want to hear your question! Leave it for me at http://www.askpat.com. Crystal's website is http://fineartmom.com/. SPI Podcast Session #28: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session28 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SEO - How Do You Stop Link Juice From Leaking From Your Website? Feb 10, 2014

Today's question comes from Tony, who has a question regarding a discussion from an episode of the Smart Passive Income Podcast: how do you stop "link juice" from leaking from your website? Just what is "link juice?" We want your question! Leave it at http://www.askpat.com. Tony's site is http://www.morewherethatgamefrom.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Software Would You Recommend To Create A Membership Website? Feb 07, 2014

Today's question comes from Juliette, who asks about building membership sites. What software should she use? How should she get started? You can leave a question for AskPat! Go to http://www.askpat.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Promote A Podcast To An Audience That Isn't Podcast Savvy? Feb 06, 2014

Today's question comes from Emilio, who wants to start a Spanish-language podcast, but is concerned that his audience is not familiar with podcasts in general. How can he educate his audience to become regular podcast listeners? If you have a burning question you need answered, go to http://www.askpat.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Productivity Hacks: How Do You Prioritize And Manage Your Work? Feb 05, 2014

Brad's question today hits on a popular topic: productivity. Specifically, he wonders about the best way to prioritize and manage his work. Let's hear from you! Leave a question at http://www.askpat.com. Brad's site is http://www.skilledup.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Sensitive Niche, But How Do You Sell Without Seeming Insensitive? Feb 04, 2014

Today's question comes from Nora, who wants to share her experience with a sensitive topic. She's wondering which is better for her topic, a blog or a podcast; as well as how to approach selling without seeming insensitive. If you want to leave a question for AskPat, go to http://www.askpat.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where do you find a good web programmer and how much should you budget? Feb 03, 2014

Today's question comes from Matt, who is ready to take his business to the next level. That next level includes web programming knowledge he doesn't have, and he wants to know where he can find a good web programmer, and how much he should expect to pay. To leave a question for the show, go to http://www.askpat.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Stay Motivated When You're Not Seeing Success, & You Don't Have Family Support? Jan 31, 2014

In today's episode of AskPat, Christine has a tough question: how do you stay motivated when you're not seeing success, especially if you don't have a family support system? To leave a question for AskPat, go to http://www.askpat.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do You Need Permission To Write Reviews On Monetized Sites? Jan 30, 2014

Our AskPat question today comes from Jeff, and he'd like to know if you need permission before writing reviews, particularly for monetized sites. If you'd like to ask a question for the show, head over to http://www.askpat.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Find Speaking Gigs? Jan 29, 2014

Today's AskPat question is from Alease, and it's about how to build a speaking career. What's the best way to start booking speaking gigs? If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, head on over to http://www.askpat.com. Alease's site is http://aleasemichelle.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's The Best Way To SEO My Website For Multiple Keywords? Jan 28, 2014

Today's question is from Jacques, about how to better optimize your websites for multiple search terms. If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, head on over to http://www.askpat.com! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Become A Better Leader, & What Tools Do You Use To Delegate Tasks To Your Team? Jan 27, 2014

Today's AskPat question is from Adam, and it's all about how to become a better leader, and he also asks about how to best delegate and hand off work to your team. If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, head on over to http://www.askpat.com Adam's site is http://poweroffood.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Work/Life Balance: How Do You Maximize The Time You Have For Each? Jan 24, 2014

Today's AskPat question is from Nick, who asks about how to balance and maximize time when working when you're in work mode, and family time when you're in family mode. I get a little personal in this one. If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, head on over to http://www.askpat.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do I Increase Engagement And Participation In My Community? Jan 23, 2014

Today's AskPat question is from Briggs, a 10 year old kid (which is awesome!) who needs help getting the students in his online community to speak up and become more active. Go Briggs! If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, head on over to http://www.askpat.com Briggs's site is http://kidsdrumminglessons.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Kind Of Goals Should I Be Making For My Website And Podcast? Jan 22, 2014

Today's AskPat question is from Sean from Australia. He asks about goals that we should be setting online, specially goals outside of financial goals. I had lots to say about this one. Check it out! If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, head on over to http://www.askpat.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Do You Craft The Perfect About Page? Jan 21, 2014

Today's AskPat question is from Addie! It's about one of the most important pages on your website. If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, head on over to http://www.askpat.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

AskPat 2.0: A Weekly Coaching Call on Online Business, Blogging, Marketing, and Lifestyle Design

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected